After Ohtani, Dodgers sign Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto to record-breaking $325M deal
By Ryan General
December 22, 2023
The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly finalized a historic 12-year, $325 million deal with acclaimed Japanese pitcher and reigning Pacific League MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Pitch perfect: Yamamoto, 25, was catapulted into the Major League spotlight following a remarkable career in Japan, boasting a 1.72 ERA over seven seasons, including a stellar 16-6 performance with a 1.21 ERA this season. Yamamoto’s impressive performance this year is highlighted by a Japan Series-record 14-strikeout game in November and a no-hitter in September.
Historic signing: Yamamoto’s multi-million-dollar agreement with the Dodgers, announced by multiple sources on Dec. 22, is the largest and longest-ever guaranteed to a major league pitcher. The groundbreaking deal shatters the previous record held by Gerrit Cole, who signed a $324 million deal in 2019. Yamamoto’s contract also costs the Dodgers an additional $50.6 million in posting fees.
Overall, two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani‘s blockbuster 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers is by far the biggest in MLB history. Yamamoto’s historic contract lands him tied with Corey Seager of the Rangers for the ninth-biggest contract in MLB history, regardless of their role on the field.
Bidding war: Yamamoto’s signing comes after a fierce bidding war, with the New York Yankees and New York Mets among the contenders pursuing the prized right-hander. Earlier this month, the San Francisco Giants signed South Korean outfielder Jung Hoo-lee to a six-year, $113 million deal, reportedly after narrowly missing out on Ohtani.
By signing two of the most sought-after pitchers this offseason, the Dodgers have now committed over $1 billion to contracts this offseason. The teams’ recent acquisitions have made them among the frontrunners for the World Series with observers placing the team’s betting odds at +380.
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