Dodgers Reportedly Interested in Japanese Slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo
By Chris Russo
The Los Angeles Dodgers may be looking overseas for their next great hitter.
The Dodgers, after missing out on Anthony Rendon to their crosstown rivals, are reportedly showing interest in recently-posted Japanese slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo.
Source: #Dodgers showing interest in LF Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, who is viewed by many as a better fit for the American League. Tsutsugo faces a Dec. 19 deadline to sign in @MLB after being posted by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of NPB, for whom he hit 29 HR this year. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 12, 2019
Tsutsugo was made available to MLB clubs by the Yokohama BayStars of the NPB. However, if he fails to find a landing spot in the majors by Dec. 19, he'll be sent back to the BayStars.
The 28-year-old slugger has played his entire 10-year career in Yokohama. He has accumulated 205 home runs and 615 RBI over his career, and he has hit 25 or more home runs in each of the last four years, including a league-best 44-homer, 110-RBI campaign in 2016.
Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (Yokohama DeNA Baystars) sent this Dillon Gee pitch into the oblivion. 4th HR of the season for the big guy. #NPB pic.twitter.com/SKH2kF3wB5
— Sung Min Kim (@sung_minkim) April 14, 2018
Tsutsugo has not won the Japan Series, the highest championship in the NPB, though he did help guide the team to the 2017 Central League Pennant.
He has made five All-Star teams, won two Home Run Derbies, and was named the MVP of Pool B of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, partially held at Dodger Stadium, where he hit an astonishing .364. He is also the youngest player in franchise history for the Bay Stars to reach 100, 150, and 200 home runs, whilst simultaneously becoming the first player in the league's history to have three straight multi-homer games.
Across his career he's spent time at left field, third base and first base, so it'd likely be an outfield role he'd take with the Dodgers, if this move come to fruition.