The Los Angeles Dodgers secured Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s signature for a record $325 million contract.
That number, the highest ever for a pitcher in MLB, will be spread over 12 years.
The Dodgers were able to fend off interest by the New York teams, the Mets and the Yankees, and secure their primary target after Shohei Ohtani.
MLB insider Jeff Passan offered some details about the deal.
“Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s deal includes a pair of opt-outs, sources tell ESPN. Here are more details on the contract, which is pending a physical: 12 years, $325 million (which includes a $50 million signing bonus), no deferred money, an additional $50.6 million posting fee to Orix,” he tweeted.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s deal includes a pair of opt-outs, sources tell ESPN.
Here are more details on the contract, which is pending a physical: 12 years, $325 million (which includes a $50 million signing bonus), no deferred money, an additional $50.6 million posting fee to Orix.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2023
Yamamoto’s competitive balance tax (CBT) number is $27.083 million, but the Dodgers are giving him a $50 million signing bonus.
To the contrary of what happened with Ohtani, there is no deferred money on Yamamoto’s contract.
In addition to the $325 million the Dodgers are giving the ace, they will also have to pay $50.6 million to the Orix Buffaloes as part of the posting agreement.
There is still no word about when the player opt outs can be exercised.
Yamamoto played seven seasons there, in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), before landing in LA.
There, he won three Eiji Sawamura awards and three Pacific League MVP awards.
His command, stuff, poise, and demeanor make him worthy of the massive contract he just got, and now the Dodgers will have him for the next 12 years.
The Dodgers will surely keep adding to their roster, and need at least another starter for depth purposes.
The Yankees and Mets have more of an urgency, having failed in their attempt to sign Yamamoto.
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