The least we can say is that the Yoshinobu Yamamoto file has been talked about in recent weeks, whether because of the negotiation process, the fact that he finally landed with the Dodgers on Los Angeles, them again, or the lucrative contract signed by the Japanese.
Besides, let's come back to this last part, the 12-year, $325 million pact, a record for a pitcher.
As we know, this agreement includes two exit options, at the end of the 2029 and 2031 campaigns. The 25-year-old could therefore be in the running for an even higher contract in a few years if he performs at the expected level against MLB hitters.
However, according to Associated Press, these options would be conditional on the health of the pitcher's arm during the first six years of the contract.
If Yamamoto were to undergo Tommy John surgery or were to spend more than 134 consecutive days on the injured list with a right elbow issue between 2024 and 2029, his chances of opting out would be delayed until after the 2031 and 2033 seasons.
Barring an elbow injury, he could opt out after 2029 and 2031, as aforementioned.
Interestingly, the contract also includes an exit clause designed to keep him from being traded, or nearly so.
In fact, always according to Associated Pressif the Dodgers trade Yamamoto, it would give Nippon an opt-out clause that would allow him to become a free agent at the end of this campaign.
Although this is not a real protection against a possible trade, it will therefore be very difficult to trade him, since the team that acquires his services will have to take into account the possibility that Yamamoto leaves the following winter.
So the Dodgers never seem to do things like the others.
