Los Angeles Dodgers sign star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to $325 million deal
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Japan's best pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract. If he leaves Japan and joins Major League Baseball, he will also receive a $50 million signing bonus.
Yamamoto, 25, is the best pitcher in Japan's Pacific League and is widely regarded as one of the best pitchers Japan has ever produced. The right-handed ace turned pro at 18 and has been firing on all cylinders in recent seasons. He won the Sawamura Eiji Award (Japan's equivalent of the Cy Young Award for best pitcher) three times.
During his time with the Orix Bisons, Yamamoto compiled a 75-30 record with a 1.72 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.
In 2023, Yamamoto released shocking statistics. He went 16-6 with a 1.21 ERA and a 6-1 strikeout rate. He allowed just two homers in 164 innings.
Yamamoto may only be 5-foot-10, but he relies on six-pitch weapons, including a nasty split shot and a knee-bending curveball.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, fastball and curveball, coverage. Also look at his unique curveball release. One of the most beautiful RHP curveballs in the world!
Yamamoto: 16-5 with a 1.42 ERA (170 innings) and a win in his last 13 starts. Leads the NPB in nearly every major pitching category.pic.twitter.com/GgeQul7q27
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) 2. October 2021
Dodgers outbid other teams for Yamamoto
More than half the league wants to sign Yamamoto. But it was narrowed down to the Dodgers and six other teams. The New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays have all faced Yamamoto.
The Yankees are coming off one of their worst seasons in 30 years and they're hoping Yamamoto can turn their fortunes around. They offered him $300 million and set aside jersey No. 18, a lucky and distinguished number coveted by Japanese players. The Dodgers offered $25 million more than the Yankees.
Last week, the Mets emerged as a potential top candidate to sign Yamamoto. Team owner Steve Cohen flew to Japan to convince Yamamoto to become the Mets' next ace.
The Dodgers have now spent more than $1 billion on two of the most talented Japanese players of the modern era. They also signed two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract.
The Los Angeles Angels missed an opportunity to retain their All-Star pitcher/designated hitter when he decided to stay in the City of Angels rather than join the Dodgers via free agency.
Ohtani will not play next season while recovering from elbow surgery. But he will assume designated hitter duties and hopes to return to the mound during the 2025 season.
Yamamoto joins a projected pitching staff that includes Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller and Emmett Sheehan. Meanwhile, former star Clayton Kershaw is a free agent and could return to the Dodgers but is also considering retirement.
The Dodgers’ odds of winning the World Series are now increased by 400
Shortly after the Texas Rangers won the 2023 World Series, oddsmakers released odds for the 2024 World Series. The Atlanta Braves are the odds-on favorite at +650, followed by the Dodgers at +700 and the Rangers at +850 to repeat as World Series champions.
The Blue Jays have a +1700 chance to win the World Series, but they see future upside as they are rumored to have inside information on signing Ohtani.The Dodgers win the Big Valley Sweepstakes and move to the top of the MLB Futures Board with +550 odds to win the World Series.
The morning after Yamamoto's news broke, the Dodgers' World Series odds dropped to +400 on DraftKings.
The Braves currently sit in second place at +700, followed by the Yankees (+900), Houston Astros (+1000) and the defending champion Rangers (+1100).
The Dodgers have a +210 chance of winning the National League pennant. The Braves (+360) and Phillies (+550) are their closest competitors.
The Dodgers are the favorite to win the NL West at -285, ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks (+550), San Diego Padres (+800), Giants (+850) and Colorado Rockies (+12,000 ). ).
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Source: www.casino.org
