Yoshinobu Yamamoto Signs Record-Breaking Contract with Los Angeles Dodgers

By Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon, and Andrew Baggarly

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a highly regarded pitcher who has yet to make his debut in the major leagues, has just secured a massive contract that reflects his immense talent. The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached an agreement with Yamamoto on a 12-year, $325 million deal, breaking the record for the largest guaranteed sum given to a Japanese player. This surpasses the previous record held by New York Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole, who signed a nine-year, $324 million contract. It is important to note that this does not include Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Pursuit of Yamamoto

Yamamoto’s exceptional command, unique pitching style, and dominant performance in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league have made him a highly sought-after talent. He recently won his third consecutive Sawamura Award, Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young Award, while leading the Orix Buffaloes to the Japan Series championship. Scouts and executives have projected him as a future ace in the major leagues.

Yamamoto’s youth, as he just turned 25 in August, further increased the interest from teams looking to secure his services. With numerous big-market clubs actively pursuing him, it became evident that the bidding would exceed all expectations.

Impressive Track Record

Yamamoto entered the offseason as the third-ranked free agent according to The Athletic. He has consistently posted impressive ERAs of 1.39, 1.68, and 1.21 over the past three seasons in the NPB. In 2023, he led the league with 169 strikeouts in 164 innings and became the first pitcher in NPB history to throw back-to-back no-hitters. His performances caught the attention of top executives, with New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman among those present when Yamamoto achieved his no-hitter.

The New York Mets were particularly dedicated in their pursuit of Yamamoto, with owner Steve Cohen personally traveling to Japan to meet with him before the Winter Meetings. Other teams also lined up visits with Yamamoto at Wasserman headquarters in Los Angeles.

A Promising Future

Despite his relatively small stature of 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds, Yamamoto’s durability and impressive performances throughout the season have alleviated concerns about his size. He showcased his endurance by pitching for Japan in the World Baseball Classic and delivering a complete game with 138 pitches in Game 6 of the Japan Series, matching Yu Darvish’s record of 14 strikeouts.

Baseball executives and talent evaluators have praised Yamamoto’s exceptional talent, explosive fastball, and competitiveness. They believe that his skills will translate well to Major League Baseball.

With his record-breaking contract, Yamamoto is poised to make a significant impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers and solidify his place as one of the most talented pitchers in the world.

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(Photo of Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty Images)