Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 25-year-old ace from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), has agreed to a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This deal includes a $50 million signing bonus and surpasses the previous record for a pitcher, edging out Gerrit Cole’s $324 million contract with the New York Yankees. The Dodgers will also pay a $50.6 million posting fee to Yamamoto’s former team, the Orix Buffaloes.
Yamamoto’s contract features opt-out clauses after the 2029 and 2031 seasons, providing him with flexibility in his MLB career. His impressive repertoire includes a mid-90s fastball, a swing-and-miss splitter, and a high-spin curveball, complemented by exceptional control. Over seven seasons with the Buffaloes, he compiled a 1.72 ERA and a 4.56 strikeout-to-walk ratio, earning multiple accolades, including three Eiji Sawamura Awards and two Pacific League MVPs.
By joining the Dodgers, Yamamoto reunites with fellow countryman Shohei Ohtani, who also signed a record-breaking contract with the team earlier this offseason. This acquisition bolsters the Dodgers’ rotation, pairing Yamamoto with pitchers like Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller, and Walker Buehler. The Dodgers’ significant investments this offseason position them as strong contenders for the upcoming season.
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