Dodgers Sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto to 12-Year, $325M Contract

Jim Parsons December 22, 2023 in Featured, MLB Tagged Yoshinobu Yamamoto - 2 Minutes

In a bold move, their second in short order, the Los Angeles Dodgers are once again making headlines with a monumental free-agent acquisition. The team is reportedly finalizing a groundbreaking deal with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a significant addition to their roster. The 12-year contract, valued at an astounding $325 million, marks a record-setting move for the Dodgers.

BREAKING: Japanese superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto agrees to deal with Dodgers, per @JackCurryYES pic.twitter.com/H0OnDHIbBn
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 22, 2023

Pending a successful physical examination, the deal includes a substantial $50 million signing bonus for Yamamoto, underscoring the team’s determination to bring the standout player on board. Notably, the contract is structured without any deferred payments, — as they did with Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million Dodgers deal. This is a more straightforward approach in securing the talented pitcher who has never played a game in the MLB.

To secure Yamamoto’s services, the Dodgers are also required to pay a substantial posting fee of nearly $51 million to the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball. This additional financial commitment brings the overall investment in Yamamoto to an impressive total exceeding $375 million, signaling the team’s confidence in his potential contributions.

Dodgers All-In This Season With Yamamoto and Ohtani Deals

The intricacies of the contract include opt-out clauses for Yamamoto after the 2029 and 2031 seasons, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

To be clear, “backloaded” is a relative term, referring only to salaries. Deal includes a $50M signing bonus, all to be paid in 2024.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 22, 2023

While the deal lacks deferred payments, it follows the common trend of backloading in long-term contracts. Consequently, should Yamamoto exercise his opt-out and reenter free agency, he would be forgoing the highest salaries of his contract. This strategic structuring adds an interesting layer to the agreement, emphasizing the calculated approach the Dodgers are taking in their pursuit of sustained success.

“The Dodgers are pedal to the metal. It’s not going to stop,” says Jim Bowden of MLB Network. They’re not done. Their goal right now is literally a World Championship. That said, he does not expect another huge contract. The farm system is loaded however and they have enough to trade and go get whatever they want.

Next: Shohei Ohtani’s $700M Dodgers Deal Includes $680M in Deferrals