PHOENIX (AP) — Money can buy lots of things, including Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a pair of Japanese superstars that set the Los Angeles Dodgers back more than $1 billion.
Now the journey begins to see if it’ll buy them a championship.
Major League Baseball’s spring training opens for 28 of 30 teams over the next few days, with pitchers and catchers reporting to sites in Arizona and Florida. The Dodgers and San Diego Padres are already in camp, getting a head start because they’ll open the regular season on March 20 in Seoul, South Korea.
“There’s a lot more eyeballs on the Dodgers,” LA manager Dave Roberts said. “I expect our players and organization to elevate our game. The responsibility with more eyeballs is greater expectations. That’s good for all of us.”
The New York Yankees took a big swing this winter by trading for Juan Soto and signing Marcus Stroman. The Philadelphia Phillies reloaded by bringing back Aaron Nola on a $172 million, seven-year deal. San Francisco Giants took a $113 million gamble on Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, while the Chicago Cubs gave lefty Shōta Imanaga $54 million to leave Japan.