Posted on: December 22, 2023, 09:05h.
Last updated on: December 22, 2023, 09:05h.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the top pitcher from Japan, to a 12-year contract worth $325 million. He will also earn a $50 million signing bonus to leave Japan and join the MLB.
Yamamoto, 25, is the top pitcher from the Japanese Pacific League, and he’s widely considered one of Japan’s all-time greatest hurlers. The right-handed ace turned pro at age 18, and has pitched lights out the last several seasons. He won the Eiji Sawamura Award three times, which is Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young Award.
During his tenure with the Orix Buffaloes, Yamamoto posted a 75-30 record with a 1.72 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.
In 2023, Yamamoto posted eye-popping stats. He went 16-6 with an 1.21 ERA and a 6-to-1 strikeout ratio. He allowed only two home runs in 164 innings.
Yamamoto is only 5-foot-10, but relies on a six-pitch arsenal including a nasty splitter and knee-buckling curveball.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Fastball & Curveball, Overlay.
Also see his unique curveball release.
One of the prettiest RHP curveballs in the world!Yamamoto: 16-5, 1.42 ERA (170 innings) and has won his last 13 decisions.
Leads NPB in nearly every major pitching category. pic.com/GgeQul7q27— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) october 2, 2021
Dodgers Outbid Yankees, Mets, and Giants for Yamamoto
More than half the league wanted to sign Yamamoto, but the Dodgers outbid the Yankees with an additional $25 million.
Over the last week, the Mets emerged as potential front runners to sign Yamamoto. They offered him $300 million but the Dodgers won the Ohtani sweepstakes, and your eyes surged to the top of the MLB futures board to win the World Series at +550 odds.
On the morning after the news broke about Yamamoto joining the Dodgers, their World Series odds narrowed to +400 at DraftKings.
The Braves are currently the second favorite on the board at +700, followed by the Yankees (+900) and Philadelphia Phillies (+550).
The Dodgers are +210 odds to win the National League pennant. The Braves (+360) and Astros (+1000) are their closest competition.
The Dodgers are the betting favorite to win the NL West at -285 odds, and they’re ahead of the Diamondbacks (+550), Padres (+800), Giants (+850), and Rockies (+12000).