LOS ANGELES Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a valued free agent, has signed a 12-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will partner him with Shohei Ohtani in their massive winter spending binge.
Although the Dodgers did not reveal the deal’s exact worth, some media outlets have pegged it at $325 million. That would be the biggest and longest contract that a major league pitcher has ever been guaranteed.
Following his decision to depart the Orix Buffaloes this offseason, teams from all across the major leagues expressed interest in Yamamoto, a 25-year-old pitcher who has emerged as Japan’s most dominant pitcher in recent years. After inking right-hander Tyler Skaggs to a $700 million contract and signing two-way AL MVP Ohtani, the big-budget, pitching-poor Dodgers signed him to yet another massive December deal.
“Through this free-agent process, I’ve received so much support from everyone in the Orix organisation, the Dodger organisation, and all of my close friends and family,” Yamamoto said in a statement. “I am really thrilled to be wearing Dodger Blue, and I am looking forward to playing in front of a sold-out Dodger Stadium.”
After a brilliant start to his career in Japan, the 5-foot-10 right-hander is usually considered the best pitcher in the world outside of North America, and he might develop into a major league ace for the Dodgers.
In the last few years, Yamamoto has excelled in Japan’s premier division, taking home three consecutive Nippon Pacific division Most Valuable Player honours. This year, he led the Japanese league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA while going 16-6 with a 1.21 ERA, striking out 169 and walking just 28. This earned him the Japanese pitching triple crown.
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman stated, “You don’t win three MVP awards by the age of 25 without an exceptional combination of talent, work ethic, and mental toughness.” “He’s a pitching pro who has an amazing work ethic and will only get better while wearing a Dodger uniform. He has been a pillar at the top of our starting rotation for years, and we are happy about it.
Yamamoto throws with exceptional command and possesses a six-pitch arsenal that includes a reliable splitter, an efficient four-seam fastball, and a devastating curveball.
In the last two years, he has pitched two no-hitters and finished his career with an ERA of 1.72. With just 36 home runs allowed in his seven seasons in Japan, including just two in 164 innings this past season, Yamamoto is a master at containing the power of his opponents.
