Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, one of the most sought-after free agents on the open market is tied to a record-breaking offer from the biggest club in baseball.
The right-hander was open to MLB free agency by the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball earlier this offseason and his window is from Nov. 21 to Jan. 4.
Bidding on Yamamoto is at $300M plus. Yankees, Dodgers and Mets seen as having the best chance and someone named the Phillies as a potential dark horse.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 22, 2023
As per the prediction Yamamoto’s contract could exceed 10 years and $300 million who is the three-time reigning Pacific League MVP and Eiji Sawamura Award winner.
Many reports are now suggesting teams already had offered Yamamoto deals in excess of $300 million.
According to CBS Sports HQ insider, Jim Bowden confirmed the top pitcher on the free-agent market, has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a 12-year deal worth $325 million.
Sources: The Mets offered $325 million to Yamamoto. The Yankees offered $300 MM
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) December 22, 2023
Andy Martino also reported the Mets matched the Dodgers’ $325 million figure with their offer, and the Yankees offered $300 million.
Recently CBS Sports ranked him as the No. 2 free agent available this offseason, he is a five-time All-Star, a three-time ERA champion, and a two-time Triple Crown champion in NPB.
In the Dodgers, Yamamoto will join a roster that includes Ohtani, perennial MVP candidates Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
His $325 million record-breaking deal will be the largest contract in MLB history ever given to a pitcher, edging out Gerrit Cole’s $324 million deal with the Yankees.
ESPN also reported from a source, that the 25-year-old Japanese star the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on a 12-year, $325 million contract, sources to ESPN.
As part of the deal, Los Angeles will pay an additional $50.6 million posting fee to Yamamoto’s previous team, the Orix Buffaloes.
Dodgers’ free agent spending this winter has grossed more than $1 billion, following the 10-year, $700 million contract they gave to Shohei Ohtani.
The conclusion of the deal, which is pending a physical, comes after a wild 48 hours in which the Dodgers beat the New York Mets, with a similar contract, and the New York Yankees.
