Los Angeles Dodgers to Sign Yoshinobo Yamamoto for $325 Mn and 12 Years

Last Updated on December 22, 2023 by SPN Editor

The Los Angeles Dodgers are making headlines once again with a groundbreaking move in free agency. Reports confirm an unprecedented agreement with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a 12-year, $325 million deal pending a physical examination. The Los Angeles Dodgers contract with Yamaamoto includes a staggering $50 million signing bonus for the Wasserman client and doesn’t involve any deferred payments. Additionally, a near-$51 million posting fee to the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball raises the total commitment beyond $375 million.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a 25-year-old Japanese professional baseball pitcher, currently plays for the Orix Buffaloes in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He began his NPB career in 2017 and has since garnered significant acclaim and achievements.

Yamamoto boasts an impressive track record, having secured three Pacific League Most Valuable Player titles, three Eiji Sawamura Awards (given to the league’s best pitcher), and three Triple Crowns. Standing at a height of 5 feet 10 inches, he has maintained a stellar earned run average (ERA) of 1.82 and has tallied an impressive 922 strikeouts. His win-loss record stands at an impressive 70 wins and 29 losses, showcasing his dominance on the field.

Intriguingly, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Yoshinobu Yamamoto contract offers two opt-out opportunities, details of which remain undisclosed. Yet, sources suggest Yamamoto’s camp aimed for free agency chances after the fifth and eighth seasons, enhancing flexibility in the long term.

Yamamoto’s track record in Japan speaks volumes. Dominating the scene as the premier pitcher for several seasons, he showcased exceptional skills during his tenure with the Buffaloes. By his age-20 season, he emerged as a top-tier pitcher, maintaining an outstanding 1.95 ERA, initiating a streak of five consecutive seasons allowing no more than 2.20 earned runs per nine innings.

His performance soared in subsequent seasons, boasting sub-2.00 ERA statistics. Yoshinobu Yamamoto clinched Japan’s prestigious Sawamura Award for three consecutive years, exhibiting remarkable consistency and prowess. His pitching excellence continued, recording a jaw-dropping 1.21 ERA in his final season in Japan.

Yamamoto’s dominance was unrivaled among NPB pitchers with over 100 innings pitched, with an ERA significantly lower than his closest competitor. His strikeout rate of 26.6% combined with a modest 4.4% walk rate underscores his exceptional command and skill set.

His transition to MLB comes with high expectations. Evaluators unanimously project him as a potential high-caliber major league starter, with some touting him as a future ace due to his formidable arsenal. Analysts praise his diverse pitching repertoire, highlighting a standout split-finger pitch and a repertoire of plus-grade offerings, which include a mid-upper 90s fastball, a promising curveball, and a cutter, all supported by his athleticism and command.

Despite limited MLB experience and a comparatively smaller physique at 5’10”, concerns about Yamamoto’s adaptation to the major leagues are outweighed by the consensus on his potential.

The Los Angeles Dodgers move to secure Yamamoto’s services at 25 years old, setting a record-breaking deal for a pitcher, underscores their commitment to building a formidable roster. The contract’s $27.08 million average annual value significantly impacts the team’s competitive balance tax, placing them in a higher tax bracket and signaling a willingness to invest heavily for success.

This acquisition, alongside the financial commitment and implications for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ tax status, cements their aggressive pursuit of top-tier talent. The Yoshinobu Yamamoto deal, combined with previous acquisitions, notably Tyler Glasnow, fortifies the team’s pitching staff, positioning them as strong contenders for the upcoming seasons.

Despite stiff competition from other MLB franchises, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s choice to join the Los Angeles Dodgers signifies a preference for their organizational vision and potential. His addition to a star-studded roster further solidifies the Los Angeles Dodgers’ position as prime contenders for the World Series title in the upcoming season.