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CNN —Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is expected to address the media Monday as Major League Baseball investigates allegations of theft against his former interpreter. “I think it’ll give us a little bit more clarity.”Roberts spoke before the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over Ohtani’s former team, the Los Angeles Angels. Bookie’s attorney speaks to CNNVideo Ad Feedback MLB launches investigation into Ohtani allegations 03:03 - Source: CNNBass, Bowyer’s attorney, told CNN that her client dealt with Ippei Mizuhara. I don’t have access to that information,” she told CNN. • After learning about the allegations against Ohtani and Mizuhara, MLB on Friday announced it would be pursuing an investigation.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, “, Dave Roberts, ” Roberts, Ohtani’s, Ippei Mizuhara, Mathew Bowyer, “ Mathew Bowyer, Diane Bass, Scott Villiard, Bowyer, Mizuhara, Ohtani, ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, Ippei, ” Bass, ” Bowyer, ” Mizuhara, ”, Bass, • Mizuhara Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, ” Dodgers, Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Dodger, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, Mizuhara, MLB, Internal Revenue Service, “ Major League Baseball, Department of Investigations, IRS, Angeles Field Office, Nippon, Ham Fighters, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League, “ feds, Padres, Ohtani’s, San Diego Padres Locations: Bowyer, California, Ippei, San Diego, Mizuhara’s, Seoul, South Korea

☆ The Ohtani scandal is the greatest gambling scandal in baseball since Pete Rose, says Keith O'Brien
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe Ohtani scandal is the greatest gambling scandal in baseball since Pete Rose, says Keith O'BrienKeith O’Brien, ‘Charlie Hustle’ author, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the business of sports betting, why he believes the parallels between Shohei Ohtani's interpreter and Pete Rose's gambling scandal are uncanny,

Persons: Pete Rose, Keith O'Brien Keith O’Brien, ‘ Charlie Hustle, Pete Rose's

• But after the interview, Ohtani’s spokesperson “disavowed” Mizuhara’s account, then released a statement saying Ohtani had been the victim of theft. • Later on Wednesday, Mizuhara was fired as Ohtani’s interpreter. ESPN’s Thompson said the interpreter and Ohtani’s representatives did “a big 180” in what they were telling her. At first, Ohtani’s spokesperson told ESPN the player had transferred money to help pay off Mizuhara’s gambling debts, the outlet reported. “I’ve been told (Mizuhara) says something to the effect of ‘I’m sorry.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ippei, “, Mathew Bowyer, Scott Villiard, Bowyer, Diane Bass, Ohtani, ”, Dave Roberts, • Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Ohtani’s, Bowyer “, ‘, Bass, “ Mathew Bowyer, ” Bass, ” Mizuhara, Tisha Thompson, Thompson, –, ESPN’s Thompson, Berk Brettler, Shohei, “ I’ve, ’ ” Thompson Organizations: CNN — Major League Baseball, Internal Revenue Service, Angeles Dodgers, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, “ Major League Baseball, Department of Investigations, IRS, Angeles Field Office, CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Ohtani’s, San Diego Padres, MLB, Ohtani, Padres, ” CNN, “ feds, Los Angeles Angels, Shohei’s, Angels, The Dodgers, Nippon, Ham Fighters, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League Locations: California, Seoul, South Korea, San Diego, Mizuhara’s, Ippei

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Shohei Ohtani may be South Korea's most-beloved Japanese athlete, a testament to his charm in softening any lingering animosity between the two neighbors. “I think Ohtani would perhaps be the first Japanese athlete who we can say we like. After his arrival in South Korea, he told reporters that he’s always respected South Korea’s national teams and called South Korea “one of my favorite countries." In 2019, a forced-labor issue triggered widespread public campaigns in South Korea to boycott Japanese goods and services. But despite their often-rocky political relations, South Korea and Japan are closely linked to each other culturally and economically.

Persons: covets, ”, Lee Jong, “, Hwang Seon, he’s, Yoon Suk, Heung, ” Lee, ___ Organizations: Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Korean, Dodgers, Seoul’s Hanyang University, Ohtani’s South, South, Twitter, Tottenham Hotspur Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Korean, Japan, Korea, South Koreans

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani says the upcoming Major League Baseball season opener against the San Diego Padres in Seoul will provide “great memories” for him and his wife, but he’ll attempt to focus on baseball. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesThe Dodgers-Padres games on March 20-21 will be Ohtani’s debut with the Dodgers, and they will be the first MLB regular season games in Seoul. Ohtani says he is aware of the intense international media focus on the games in Seoul. Members of his fan club in South Korea put up placards welcoming Ohtani’s arrival at Incheon international airport on Friday. I’ve always watched the games between Japan and Korea and I always respected, looked up to Team Korea and Korean players,” Ohtani said.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, ”, Ohtani, Mamiko Tanaka, “, ” Otani, hadn’t, Tanaka, I’m, ” Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, That’s, they’ve, I’ve, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres, Dodgers, Fujitsu Red Wave, Japan Basketball League, Padres, MLB, Incheon, Team Korea Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, Seoul, Ohtani, Japan, Korean, Korea

☆ Shohei Ohtani reveals his new wife’s identity – basketball star Mamiko Tanaka
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( David Close | Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Two weeks after making the surprise announcement of his marriage, Major League Baseball star Shohei Ohtani has revealed his new wife’s identity – and she’s also a top athlete. Ohtani, 29, on Thursday posted a photo on Instagram of the couple standing shoulder-to-shoulder beside the Los Angeles Dodgers’ team plane as they traveled to South Korea. Tanaka, 27, also played for Japan at U16, U17 and U18 levels, according to her profile on international governing body FIBA’s website. Ohtani, who is known for his two-way abilities on the field, is a hugely popular figure in his native Japan. That announcement stunned fans – and Ohtani and topics related to his marriage quickly became Japan’s top five trending topics on social platform X.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, she’s, Mamiko Tanaka, Tanaka, Ohtani, “, ”, – Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers, League, Dodgers, Fujitsu Red Wave, Japan Basketball League, Japan, U16, U18, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels Locations: South Korea, Japan

☆ See-Through Baseball Pants Have Fans, and Brands, Pointing Fingers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Eve Peyser | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At the end of this month, Major League Baseball will officially commence its 2024 season, and with spring training already in full swing, the chatter among hard-core fans and casual observers has been unusually spirited. Unfortunately, the conversation has not been about the New York Yankees trading for Juan Soto or the Los Angeles Dodgers signing Shohei Ohtani. Instead, people cannot stop talking about the league’s new uniforms, specifically the pants, which leave little to the imagination. “Buying my wife Fanatics baseball pants instead of lingerie,” read an X post with more than 33,000 likes. “Whenever I’m nervous public speaking I just pretend people in the audience are wearing Fanatics baseball pants,” another person joked.

Persons: Juan Soto, Shohei Ohtani, — Organizations: Major League Baseball, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Nike, San Diego Padres

CNN —Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani revealed on Thursday that he is now married. “The season is approaching, I am pleased to announce to you that I have gotten married,” Ohtani said in a surprise post in Japanese on Instagram. In the meantime, he urged the media to refrain from reaching out for interviews to him and his family. Following his post on Instagram, Ohtani and topics related to his marriage became Japan’s top five trending topics on X, formerly known as Twitter, with his announcement stunning fans. “Taking off work to mourn the loss of Shohei,” one user replied to Ohtani’s post.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, “, ” Ohtani, ”, Ohtani Organizations: CNN — Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Angels, Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, League, Chicago White Sox, American League Locations: Japanese

“World Series Champions. Bochy noted the challenges in winning one World Series, but also made reference to what the Chiefs accomplished last Sunday. Of the 169 players who became free agents after the World Series, more than half were still without a team when the week began. Molina managed Criollos de Caguas in winter ball and Puerto Rico in the recently completed Caribbean World Series. The Yankees and Brewers swapped relievers with left-hander Clayton Andrews going to New York and right-hander Johan Quezada going to Milwaukee.

Persons: ”, I’ve, Bruce Bochy, Bochy, Chris Young, ” Young, Shohei, Seattle’s Julio Rodríguez, Elly De La Cruz, Ian Happ, ” Happ, “, NL Cy Young, Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Yasmani Grandal, Shintaro Fujinami, Phil Maton, Scott Alexander, Spencer Turnbull, Tommy John, Craig Counsell, Bob Melvin, Pat Murphy, Mike Shildt, Melvin, Carlos Mendoza, That’s, Stephen Vogt, Terry Francona, Ron Washington, Phil Nevin, Joe Espada, Dusty, ” Espada, I’m, ” MOLINA, Yadier, Molina, Criollos, John Mozeliak, Louis, Peyton Burdick, Burdick, Clayton Andrews, Johan Quezada, Jay Cohen, Stephen Hawkins, Marc Berman, Chuck King, ___ Organizations: Texas Rangers, ”, Rangers, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Dodger, Mariners, Super Bowl . Young Cincinnati, Cubs, NL, New York Mets, Philadelphia, NL Central, Chicago, Brewers, Padres, National League, American, Houston, Louis Cardinals, Puerto, ” Cardinals, Baseball, Cardinals, Marlins, Triple, The Yankees, AP Baseball Locations: Surprise , Arizona, ” Texas, Texas, Seoul, South Korea, Peoria , Arizona, Las Vegas, Goodyear , Arizona, Florida, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Oakland, Milwaukee, San Francisco, San Diego, Cleveland, Caguas, Puerto Rico, Miami, Jacksonville, New York

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Japanese high school baseball star Rintaro Sasaki has signed a national letter of intent to play at Stanford in 2025, the school announced Tuesday night. Sasaki will graduate in March from Hanamaki-Higashi High School, the school that produced major league star Shohei Ohtani. Sasaki hit a Japanese high school-record 140 home runs and was projected to be the No. 1 pick in the Nippon Professional Baseball Draft, but decided to go to a U.S. college. "He may be the most high-profile international prospect to play college baseball in the United States in a long time.

Persons: Rintaro Sasaki, Sasaki, Shohei Ohtani, “, David Esquer, ” Sasaki, Stanford Organizations: STANFORD, Calif, Stanford, Higashi High School, Nippon Professional Baseball Locations: Hanamaki, U.S, Stanford, United States

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani walked through his new spring training clubhouse wearing a simple white T-shirt with one word “BOSS” across the front in big, dark capital letters. The two-time Most Valuable Player might not be in charge of these Los Angeles Dodgers, but there's little doubt who commands the most attention. “Try to get along with all the guys and teammates.”The Dodgers had their first official workout of spring training on Friday, with pitchers and catchers reporting. Los Angeles could start a lineup that includes fellow All-Stars like Betts, Freeman, Max Muncy and Will Smith. The Ohtani deal was even richer than many expected and then days later, Los Angeles landed right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto with a $325 million, 12-year deal.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, ”, Ohtani, baseball's, ” Ohtani, “, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman haven't, Betts, Freeman, Max Muncy, Will Smith, Ohtani's, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dave Roberts, he's, ” Roberts, I've, Taylor Swift, harkened, Barry Bonds Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, San, San Francisco Giants Locations: GLENDALE, Ariz, San Diego, Seoul, South Korea, Angeles, Los Angeles, Arizona

☆ Moneyball-Plus: What Happens When Investors Treat Athletes Like Startups
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Joseph Bien-Kahn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +27 min

What if athletes could sell a percentage of their future earnings to investors, the same way tech entrepreneurs offer a stake in their promising new ideas in return for venture capital? "We look at the game very, very differently than everyone else," Schwimer tells the pitcher. Finlete is launching a fund that allows fans to buy shares in a prospect's future earnings. What if you could sell a share of your future earnings, he asked, for $10,000? Today, he says, more than 80% of the players BLA has invested in are outside the league's top 300 prospects.

Persons: They're, Michael Schwimer, —, Schwimer, BLA, haven't, Fernando Tatis Jr, We've, it's, Daniil, David Liberman, Garrett Broshuis, he'd, He'd, Houdini, Christian Petersen, Erik Kratz, Kratz, Cole Hamels, Hamels, Sean M, Marvin Bush, George W, Bush, Paul DePodesta, bankroll BLA's, Bill Miller, Miller, HBO's, Michael, Jeff Bezos, Bezos, I'd, I'm, Steven Duncker, Goldman Sachs, Elly De La Cruz, Dylan Buell, phenom, Scott Boras, Yermín Mercedes, Francisco Mejía, countersue Mejia, Gervon Dexter, they're, Dexter, Wharton, He's, he'll, isn't, scoffing, he's Organizations: Philadelphia Phillies, Big League, San Diego Padres, Benchmark Capital, Sports, Wharton Sports Business, MLB, University of Virginia, Partners, Phillies, Getty, AAA, Arizona Fall League, Ritz Carlton, Cleveland Browns, Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Big League Advance, Chicago Bears, University of Florida, Huntsman, NCAA Locations: Maryland, Philadelphia, United States, baseball's, Latin America, America, Dominican Republic, Cleveland, Florida

Left-hander James Paxton and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to an $11 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Paxton can earn up to $13 million if he is healthy during the early part of the season and starts at least 20 games. Paxton can earn $1 million in performance bonuses for starts: $250,000 each for 16 and 18, and $500,000 for 20. A 35-year-old left-hander, Paxton was 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA last year in his only season with the Boston Red Sox. He signed a $10 million, two-year contract with Boston and returned to make seven minor league appearances late in the 2022 season.

Persons: James Paxton, Paxton, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, Tommy John, Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan, spender, Shohei Ohtani, Yamamoto, Teoscar Hernández, didn't, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Associated Press, Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Seattle, Boston, New York Yankees Locations: Los Angeles, Boston

☆ Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract sparks concern about taxes on deferred income for high earners
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani attends a press conference on his presentation after signing a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Dec. 14, 2023. Roughly a month after Shohei Ohtani signed a $700 million contract with Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, California's controller is calling for "immediate and decisive action" from Congress to limit deferred income for higher earners. The Japanese pitcher's record-breaking deal defers $680 million for 10 years and has raised questions about future state taxability — especially if Ohtani eventually leaves California. Deferring $68 million annually for 10 years could save Ohtani $98 million over the life of his contract, according to an estimate from the California Center for Jobs and the Economy. However, the estimate uses several assumptions, and the exact terms of Ohtani's contract are unknown.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Malia Cohen, Jan Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, Finance, California Center, Jobs Locations: Los Angeles , California, California

☆ Shohei Ohtani’s $700M Dodgers contract is huge — but its actual value is much lower
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-15 | by ( David K. Li | Kate Dore | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani attends a press conference on his presentation after signing a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Dec. 14, 2023. At first glance, Shohei Ohtani's $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is nothing short of a Ruthian blockbuster, topping all other free agent pacts. The deal was originally reported as a $700 million, 10-year deal, which drastically tops all previous MLB contracts in terms of total compensation and average annual value. And on the other side of the spectrum, annual inflation was consistently less than 2% for much of the 2010s. For him, the decision to sign the deal with the Dodgers had more to do with earning things on the field than off.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Colin Gerrety, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Chavez, we've, Christopher Woods, Woods, he's, It's, I'm, Ohtani, David K, Li Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, NBC, Wealth, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, The Dodgers, Star, Silvis, Labor Department, Federal Reserve Locations: Los Angeles , California, Vienna , Virginia, Charlotte , North Carolina, L.A

☆ Shohei Ohtani — deferring $680 million of his contract for 10 years — may face some financial risks, advisors say
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-14 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shohei Ohtani, formerly of the Los Angeles Angels, pitches during a game in Anaheim, California, on July 6, 2021. Shohei Ohtani made history this week with a 10-year, $700 million contract to play for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. The Japanese superstar will receive $2 million per year over the 10-year agreement, which defers $68 million annually. But Ohtani will receive the bulk of his contract, $680 million in payments, between 2034 and 2043, without interest. For 2024, California's top tax rate climbs to 14.4%, which includes a 1.1% payroll tax on all income.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Bobby Bonilla, Ken Griffey, Eric Bronnenkant, Bronnenkant Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, Finance Locations: Anaheim , California, California

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels will not trade three-time AL MVP Mike Trout, general manager Perry Minasian confirmed at MLB's winter meetings on Tuesday. “Mike Trout will not be getting traded, 100%,” Minasian told MLB.com and other outlets. Trout is under contract through 2030, and he makes $35.45 million annually with a full no-trade clause. Ohtani met with the Dodgers in the past few days, their general manager, Dave Roberts, said Tuesday. The Angels will play next year under new manager Ron Washington, who said last month that Trout and Anthony Rendon are key leaders and players for the club.

Persons: Mike Trout, Perry Minasian, Minasian, Arte Moreno's, ” Minasian, Trout, —, ” Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Dave Roberts, Ron Washington, Anthony Rendon, Rendon, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Angels, Dodgers, Los Angeles Locations: Tenn, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Los

After saying he had not met with Ohtani, Counsell was asked whether anyone in the Cubs front office had. Counsell replied: “I have not.”Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, another prized free agent, could be sought by the New York Yankees and Mets, who set payroll records this year in their third season under owner Steve Cohen. The Mets' projected final 2023 payroll is about $346 million and their luxury tax roughly $102 million. Political Cartoons View All 1283 Images“I don’t know if anybody can compete with Steve Cohen,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. He's had a lot of success and built an empire which has allowed him to do things like the Mets.

Persons: — Dave Roberts, Shohei, Roberts, Bob Fosse, Ross Atkins, I’m, Craig Counsell, Ohtani, Counsell, “, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Steve Cohen, ”, Brian Cashman, He's, ” Cashman, Juan Soto, Preller, Mike Shildt, Cashman, Alex Verdugo, Greg Weissert, Chris Devenski, Erick Fedde, he’s, Yamamoto, AP Sports Writers Teresa Walker, Jay Cohen, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto, ” New Chicago Cubs, Cubs, New York Yankees, Mets, ” Yankees, Padres, New Padres, Soto, Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Tampa, NC Dinos, Chicago White Sox, Associated Press, Cleveland, MLB, Dodger, Dodgers, Orix Buffaloes, Lotte Marines, AP Sports Writers Locations: Tenn, ”, San Diego, Miami, South Korea, Japan

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani met with the Los Angeles Dodgers a few days ago at Dodger Stadium, manager Dave Roberts revealed Tuesday at the winter meetings. Ohtani, a unique two-way star, is expected to command a record contract of $500 million-plus on the free agent market. “We want to respect Shohei’s wishes as far as being private,” Roberts said, "but obviously people talk. I like to be honest and so we met with Shohei and we talked and I think it went well. I think it went well, but at the end of the day, he's going to do what's best for himself, where he feels most comfortable.”___

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Dave Roberts, ” Roberts, Shohei’s, Roberts, “, ”, Shohei Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger Locations: Tenn

Big-name free agents appear in no hurry to strike deals at the winter meetings, biding time until Shohei Ohtani potentially breaks the record for richest contract set 4 1/2 years ago by Mike Trout. “It's probably a little slower from a conversation standpoint at a winter meetings than it normally would,” New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday. Behind Ohtani in the hitters free-agent pecking order are Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman, both represented by the sport's biggest agent, Scott Boras. Among starting pitchers, the market includes Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, also represented by Boras. “He’s going to make other pitchers better.”___AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker contributed to this report.

Persons: ., Shohei, Mike Trout, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, “ It's, ”, David Stearns, hasn't, ” Ohtani, Nez, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Scott Boras, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Farhan Zaidi, “, Ross Atkins, Atkins, San Diego, Juan Soto, Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, Evan White, Cole Phillips, Jackson Kowar, Gonzales, White, Eugenio Suárez, Carlos Vargas, Seby Zavala, Scott Servais, “ That’s, Jackson Chourio, “ There’s, I’m, ” Chourio, Milwaukee, Wade Miley, Pat Murphy, “ He’s, Teresa M, Walker, ___ Organizations: ” New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Creative Artists Agency, Gaylord, Convention, Boras, San Francisco Giants, CBA, Blue Jays, San, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Atlanta, Seattle, ” Mariners, Brewers Locations: Tenn, Nez Balelo, ” Toronto, Nashville, Seattle, Arizona, Milwaukee

☆ Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Japan’s pitching sensation is set to become MLB’s next star
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Watch out baseball fans; Japan’s next big star looks to be on the move. Pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to make a high-profile switch to Major League Baseball (MLB) during the offseason, after he was posted as a free agent by Japan’s Orix Buffaloes on Monday. The 25-year-old is expected to attract the attention of the league’s biggest franchises and could receive a highly-lucrative contract worth around $200m, per Reuters. Yamamoto has certainly impressed during the early part of his career, being awarded the Eiji Sawamura Award – given to the top starting pitcher in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) – on three occasions. Yamamoto is set to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui and current star Shohei Ohtani who have made the switch from Japan to the MLB.

Persons: Japan’s, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Yamamoto, Eiji Sawamura, –, Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, Shohei Ohtani Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, Japan’s Orix Buffaloes, Reuters, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, Triple Crown –, NPB’s Pacific League, Tokyo, The Athletic, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, LA Dodgers, MLB Locations: Japan

Aaron Nola is returning to the Philadelphia Phillies on a seven-year deal, according to a person familiar with the agreement. The 30-year-old Nola was a first-round draft pick by the Phillies in 2014, debuted with Philadelphia the next year and has been there his entire career. Nola helped Philadelphia secure an NL wild card in 2023, and then went 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in four playoff starts. Nola made five postseason starts when Philadelphia made it to the 2022 World Series before losing to Houston. Nola is 90-71 with a 3.72 ERA in 235 career starts over nine seasons — all with Philadelphia.

Persons: Aaron Nola, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Sonny Gray, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Nola, He's, ___ Organizations: Philadelphia Phillies, Associated Press, ESPN, Phillies, Philadelphia, NL, Arizona, Houston, LSU Locations: Philadelphia, Baton Rouge , Louisiana

☆ Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr. named unanimous MLB MVPs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Ohtani becomes the first player ever to be named unanimous American League MVP twice and joins Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera as the only foreign-born players to win the award multiple times. Earning a total of 420 points, Ohtani beat out Texas Rangers teammates Corey Seager with 264 points and Marcus Semien with 216 points. Additionally, Acuña led the majors with 149 runs, 217 hits, an on-base percentage of .416) and a 1.012 OPS. “I feel really happy and privileged to be here with my family,” Acuña said in Spanish on MLB Network, surrounded by friends and family. Prior to Thursday, there had never been two unanimous MVPs announced by the writers’ association in the same season, dating back to 1931.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr, Ohtani, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Aaron, Judge, ” Ohtani, Seager, congrats, Acuña, ” Acuña, ”, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, MVPs Organizations: CNN, Atlanta Braves, Baseball Writers ’ Association of America, American League, Texas Rangers, MLB Network, Los Angeles Angels, Angels, New York, NL, Los Angeles Dodgers Locations: Spanish, Venezuela, Latin America

He was a unanimous MVP in 2021 and finished second to the Yankees' Aaron Judge in voting last year. This was just the 20th unanimous MVP vote since the award was established in 1931. Corey Seager was second with 24 second--place votes and 264 points, and Texas teammate Marcus Semien was third with five second-place votes and 216 points. Ohtani last spoke with reporters on Aug. 9, two weeks before he hurt the elbow while pitching against Cincinnati. Ohtani won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 after leaving the Pacific League’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to sign with the Angels.

Persons: Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Babe Ruth, Ruth batted, Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr, Tommy John, Nez Balelo, ___ Organizations: American League, Los Angeles Angels, Baseball Writers ’ Association of America, Yankees, Rangers, AL, Boston, Ohtani, Baseball, Cincinnati, Pacific, Ham Fighters, Angels, Pacific League's Locations: Texas, Hokkaido Nippon

☆ Ohtani wins second American League MVP award in unanimous vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 30, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits an RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. He is the first player to win the MVP Award unanimously more than once, having also done so in 2021. Ohtani finished second in voting last year behind New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge . "Obviously I wanted to win last year but Judge had a spectacular season and, deservedly so, he won it. So I wanted to come back stronger and try to win this year," Ohtani said via an interpreter.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Ross, Ohtani, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Babe Ruth, Aaron Judge, Judge, Ohtani's, Ronald Acuna, Acuna, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Amy Tennery, Frank Pingue Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Bank, USA, Major League Baseball, American League, Writers ' Association of America, Texas Rangers, MLB, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Braves, Thomson Locations: Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, USA, Venezuelan, New York

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