Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes have concluded, and once again, the Dodgers emerge as the victors, have a look at his contract and net worth
The Japanese ace has officially inked a deal with Los Angeles, joining the West Coast alongside two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani, marking a triumphant offseason for the Dodgers.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Los Angeles Dodgers contract details, salary and net worth in 2023
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is reportedly signing with the Dodgers, via multiple sources pic.twitter.com/pAWiX3XYc5
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 22, 2023
Yoshinobu Yamamoto's Mechanics (with Stop Motion) pic.twitter.com/rl1yl9XBON
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) December 18, 2023
In a groundbreaking move, Yamamoto’s contract catapults him to the summit as the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history, surpassing the previous milestone set by Yankees star Gerrit Cole.
The agreement also places him in a tie for the ninth-highest contract among all MLB players in overall value.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Contract Details
Yamamoto follows in the footsteps of other Japanese stars who have transitioned to the MLB, standing out as a compelling prospect from his country since Ohtani’s arrival with the Angels in 2018.
His seven-season tenure with the Orix Buffaloes in the Nippon Baseball League boasts an impressive 1.72 ERA as a starter.
The capstone to his NPB career was claiming his third consecutive Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award, a feat only previously achieved by Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki and the dominant ‘70s pitcher Hisashi Yamada.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Yamamoto’s monumental contract spans 12 years and is valued at $325 million, boasting an average annual value just above $27 million per season.
This deal surpasses Cole’s previous record for the highest contract for a major league pitcher by an additional $1 million. Passan also reports the inclusion of a pair of opt-outs in the agreement, although the specific details remain undisclosed.
In addition to the $325 million contract, the Dodgers are shouldering a $50 million posting fee, elevating the total cost for Los Angeles to $375 million to secure the services of the formidable right-handed ace.
Yamamoto, 25 years old at the time of signing, will see the contract through to its conclusion in 2035 when he reaches the age of 37.
According to sources at ESPN, Yoshinobu Yamamoto sealed the deal with the Dodgers on a 12-year, $325 million contract, accompanied by a $50 million signing bonus. His current net worth stands at $1-5 million.
Notably, unlike Shohei Ohtani’s deferred payment structure, Yamamoto’s contract does not include any deferred money. This landmark agreement stands as the most substantial contract ever awarded to a pitcher in MLB history, edging out Gerrit Cole’s previous record-setting $324 million deal with the Yankees.
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