Reports Confirm Record-Breaking $325 Million Deal Between Dodgers and Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Multiple sources have revealed that prized free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers have reached a monumental agreement on a 12-year contract valued at $325 million. This signing marks Yamamoto’s journey to join forces with Japanese compatriot Shohei Ohtani, who recently secured a groundbreaking $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers just last week.
While the Dodgers have not officially verified the arrangement with Yamamoto as of Thursday night, various outlets, including MLB.com and ESPN, have relied on anonymous sources to report the deal. The New York Yankees and New York Mets were among the many teams in pursuit of Yamamoto before the agreement.
This signing signifies the Dodgers’ third significant pitching acquisition of the offseason. Alongside Ohtani, the team secured right-hander Tyler Glasnow with a $136.5 million, five-year contract following his trade from the Tampa Bay Rays to Los Angeles.
Emphasizing the team’s commitment to build a robust pitching roster, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman stressed that securing Glasnow was not the only move in their plans during Ohtani’s introductory news conference last week.
Yamamoto, with an impressive record of 16-6 and a stellar 1.21 ERA in the recent season, showcased his prowess by striking out 169 batters and allowing only 28 walks across 164 innings. Over seven seasons with the Orix Buffaloes, he maintains a commendable record of 70-29 with an exceptional 1.82 ERA.
The 25-year-old right-hander gained significant attention when he pitched a no-hitter – the 100th in Japanese big league history – against the Lotte Marines on Sept. 9, extending his scoreless streak to 42 innings. His talent was further highlighted by a 14-strikeout performance during a Japan Series Game 6 victory over Hanshin, though Orix eventually lost Game 7.
Yamamoto’s signing with the Dodgers would mark the most extensive and lucrative guaranteed contract ever awarded to a major league pitcher. His arrival follows the trajectory of Ohtani, a former two-time AL MVP with the Los Angeles Angels, who transitioned to the Dodgers this offseason as a free agent.
The signing process under the MLB-NPB agreement stipulates a posting fee structure based on percentages tied to the major league contract’s value, including bonuses, options, and other increments
