Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Tyler Glasnow Details How Shohei Ohtani Played Key Role in Joining Dodgers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eduardo Razo | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 10:20 AM ET

When Shohei Ohtani agreed to a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, he did so intending to win after years of disappointment with the crosstown Los Angeles Angels.

Moreover, Ohtani is deferring $68 million of his $70 million average salary, per MLB.com. That's not the only lengths the 30-year-old has done to ensure that Los Angeles puts together competitive teams; he's even putting out recruitment videos.

Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow revealed on The Athletic’s “Starkville” that Ohtani sent him a recruitment video after Los Angeles traded for him, likely hoping to help convince the 31-year-old to stay long-term.

"[Ohtani] was just talking about how he wanted me to go to the Dodgers and he wanted to hit home runs for me," Glasnow told hosts Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville. "It was just about the team in general. I think that's what's so cool about the Dodgers—how much they want to win and how bought-in everyone is."

Ohtani’s recruitment video did the trick—Glasnow signed a five-year, $136.5 million contract extension with the Dodgers upon his arrival in 2023. The deal includes a $30 million club option for 2028 or a $20 million player option in 2029.

The extension came together shortly after Los Angeles acquired Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot from the Tampa Bay Rays, with the trade hinging on Glasnow agreeing to the new deal.

Furthermore, Glasnow noted that, for the second straight offseason, another recruitment video was sent out for another starting pitcher, Roki Sasaki.

"A lot of guys sent videos to Roki, and you do what you can to create the best team," Glasnow added. "I think that just—it speaks a lot about how unified the group is."

Like the previous offseason, these recruitment videos worked as the Dodgers landed Sasaki. In January, the 23-year-old agreed to a minor league deal with a $6.5 million signing bonus.

Maybe the Dodgers will send out more recruitment videos this upcoming offseason, especially if they can come off winning back-to-back World Series titles.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: