And there you have it: the Yoshinobu Yamamoto derby, which will make its debut in the Majors in the coming months, is finally over.
The 25-year-old star pitcher from Japan signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers late last night.
We are talking about a contract that would not contain deferred money, unlike other contracts in Los Angeles. On the contrary, there would be a signing bonus of $50 million.
And since the posting fees to his former Japanese team are in the order of $50 million as well (an amount that is added to the $325 million of the pitcher's contract), that's a big amount in the short term for the Dodgers.
There would be two exit options in the agreement. That said, right now it's hard to believe the pitcher will ever want to use them.
First, he became the second highest-paid pitcher in history, behind Shohei Ohtani. He ends up with a super club built by Andrew Friedman, who has free rein.
To think that at the start of the month, it was Gerrit Cole ($324 million) who was the highest paid pitcher in history.
The case evolved quickly last night. We quickly learned that the Giants were out of the race and it was between New York and LA.
The Yankees offered $300 million (less than Cole) while the Mets offered $325 million. The Dodgers matched the Mets' offer, but the Yankees did not.
And Yamamoto went to LA
For clubs like the Blue Jays and Red Sox, the win is this: Yamamoto, who was voted MVP and pitcher of the year in Japan from 2021 to 2023, won't be going to the Bronx.
But whether the Diamondbacks owner likes it or not, the Dodgers are still improving. In 2023, they won the West with one hand behind their back and there they added Ohtani, Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow.
Will this ensure playoff wins? No, that doesn't mean anything. But let's say that the training still puts the chances on its side.
When you bet $1.1615 billion on three guys, you want to win. As long as they don't become the Mets, Yankees or Padres of 2024…
The Dodgers managed to land their first three targets since the start of the offseason, which is crazy.
Let's see what they do in October 2024, though.
- Reminder: in 2025, Shohei Ohtani will be able to throw.
- The deferred money from Shohei Ohtani's contract allows for this.
- Over $150M on five players against the luxury tax.
- Will the market unblock?
- Yesterday, Yamamoto was supposed to join Ohtani at the Thursday night game.
