SUMMARY
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed a monumental 12-year, $325 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Despite a substantial $300 million offer from the New York Yankees, Yoshinobu Yamamoto chose to join the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the name that reverberated through the crowds during last year’s World Baseball Classic. His excellence was reflected in the smile of his fellow players when he sent his fastballs hurling at the sluggers who were unable to hit them. Yamamoto was the ace of Samurai Japan at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
His outstanding talent caught the attention of MLB, leading to fierce competition among various teams for the right-hander after the 2023 season. Ultimately, the Los Angeles Dodgers spared no expense when they inked a monumental 12-year, $325 million contract – the largest pitcher contract in the team’s history.
This deal also marked the most significant ever given to an international free agent. Interestingly, this acquisition occurred just weeks after the Dodgers made history by signing Shohei Ohtani to the biggest contract in MLB history.
According to a recent Los Angeles Times report by Dylan Hernández, Yamamoto is scheduled to make his debut in MLB and for the Dodgers in one of the two opening games against the San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea. This means Yamamoto’s first appearance in the team’s uniform will be on either March 20 or March 21, 2024.
Why did Yoshinobu Yamamoto choose the Dodgers instead of the Yankees?
Before making his MLB debut, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a three-time MVP in the Nippon Professional Baseball League, was considered a behemoth in Japanese baseball. For a considerable period, the New York Yankees were considered the top contender to secure Yamamoto’s talents in MLB.
The Yankees reportedly made a substantial $300 million offer. However, it was the Dodgers who ultimately convinced Yamamoto to join their ranks. Brandom Gomes, GH of the team said, “He wanted a team that was going to win.” Considering how the Dodgers are stacked this season and beyond, coupled with the presence of Ohtani, it appears that Yamamoto will bank on his bet.
Walker Buehler and Tyler Glasnow heap praise on new teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has yet to pitch in the major leagues. However, during the first batting practice of Spring Training, the Los Angeles Dodgers were left in awe of their new signings. Shohei Ohtani wowed the crowd with his soaring home runs. While Yamamoto left fellow pitchers Walker Buehler and Tyler Glasnow in awe.
Both of them heaped praise on the Japanese sensation. “It comes out of his hand really good. He spins it great. I’m just kind of curious to get my eyes on the whole picture of it,” Buehler said.
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“I’ve seen people like that. I just think he’s really wiry and really strong. I don’t know if size necessarily matters but I think he can just collect himself very efficiently. There are no wasted movements in his mechanics,” Glasnow said.
And of course, they did, Yamamoto is not just limited to one kind of pitch but a quartet of pitches. According to MLB.com, in the WBC, he flaunted a high-velocity, running four-seamer. Another pitch in Yamamoto’s arsenal is his signature rainbow curveball, a pitch that captivates with its beauty. He can unleash a wipeout splitter and his fourth pitch is a hard slider/cutter hybrid.