Report: Dodgers targeting Hader, still pursuing Yamamoto

Shohei Ohtani gave the Los Angeles Dodgers some extra spending money, and the front office already seems to know what it wants to buy.

The Dodgers are now targeting the top reliever on the free-agent market in Josh Hader, a source told Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci. Los Angeles is also continuing to pursue Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Verducci adds.

Both Hader and Yamamoto will command high salaries, but the free-spending Dodgers will be able to afford one or both of them thanks to Ohtani's contract language. The two-way superstar is reportedly deferring all but $2 million of his record $70-million annual salary during the next 10 seasons, a move that allows the team to fit additional stars into its payroll under the competitive balance tax.

Hader would be a huge addition to a Dodgers relief corps that was among the best in baseball last season. His presence in the ninth inning would allow Evan Phillips, who saved 24 games last year, and Brusdar Graterol to work in either a setup role or the middle innings, lengthening the bullpen behind a starting rotation that still has some question marks.

The 29-year-old would bring even more star power to the Dodgers as a five-time All-Star and three-time Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year. Hader was his usual dominant self for the San Diego Padres in 2023, posting a 1.28 ERA and 1.10 WHIP along with 85 strikeouts and 33 saves in 61 appearances, while allowing a career-low three home runs. However, his 4.8 BB/9 rate was the highest of his career.

Hader rejected the Padres' qualifying offer in November, meaning he's tied to draft-pick compensation if he signs elsewhere.

Yamamoto, meanwhile, is meeting with the Dodgers on Tuesday in Los Angeles, sources told Stadium's Russell Dorsey. He was reportedly a Dodgers target even before being posted by Japan's Orix Buffaloes.

The competition is fierce, with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, and Philadelphia Phillies all connected to him in recent weeks.

The 25-year-old reportedly met with the Giants on Sunday and will also sit down with Boston this week. He's also already spoken to both New York clubs.

Yamamoto, the three-time reigning Pacific League MVP, is thought to be in line for a $300-million contract that would rank among the richest ever given to a pitcher.