Yoshinobu Yamamoto signs biggest deal in history for a pitcher
Aug 4, 2021; Yokohama, Japan; Team Japan pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (17) reacts against Korea in a baseball semifinal match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Yoshinobu Yamamoto made a decision Thursday about his MLB future, and the Japanese pitcher has decided to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Yamamoto is getting a 12-year, $325 million contract from the Dodgers. He has a $50 million signing bonus, and none of the money is deferred.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto's deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is the largest contract for a pitcher in Major League Baseball history, beating Gerrit Cole's deal by $1 million. Furthermore, the Dodgers will pay an additional $50.6 million in posting fee. Total outlay: 12 years, $375M.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2023
The length and total money is the most ever for a pitcher, beating out Gerrit Cole’s 9-year, $324 million deal.
After Shohei Ohtani decided to sign with the Dodgers, the decision from Yamamoto was the top topic in MLB free agency. The questions about Yamamoto were at the forefront over the last few weeks, and it was believed that the Dodgers, Mets and Yankees were in the best position to land the Japanese pitcher. The Mets apparently offered Yamamoto his 12-year, $325 million deal, which the Dodgers matched.
Before the Dodgers landed him, the Mets presented Yoshinobu Yamamoto with an offer of $325 million for 12 years, which Los Angeles matched, a league sources told @TheAthletic. @martinonyc was first on dollars from Mets; @JeffPassan first with LA terms.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) December 22, 2023
The Dodgers matching the Mets’ offer means that that was the team Yamamoto most preferred to join.
The Dodgers now have over $1 billion committed to two players — both of whom are Japanese stars. The Dodgers have a long history of showcasing Japanese pitchers, like Hideo Nomo, Takashi Saito, Hiroki Kuroda, Kaz Ishii and Kenta Maeda. Now they can add Ohtani and Yamamoto to their list.
With the big signings they have made, not only are the Dodgers the favorites to win the World Series, but they are also the favorites to become the most beloved MLB team in Japan.
