The Los Angeles Dodgers are putting together arguably the most incredible offseason in MLB history.
Just after inking Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million deal and adding Tyler Glasnow, they’ve won the sweepstakes for Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yamamoto going to the Dodgers was first reported by YES’ Jack Curry and soon confirmed by others, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan reporting the deal is worth $325 million across 12 years.
Yamamoto was the most highly sought-after free agent outside of Ohtani. A dominant pitcher in Japan, he’s only 25-years-old and figures to slot atop a Dodgers rotation that, even after the addition of Glasnow, was not without its question marks.
Just about every big market team was in on Yamamoto, who had until Jan. 4 to sign with a team. The Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Giants, Red Sox and Blue Jays were all rumored to be interested in him, but as Thursday night drew on the Dodgers and New York teams were said to be the frontrunners.
SNY's Andy Martino reported the Mets also offered Yamamoto a 12-year, $325 million contract, while the Yankees made a $300 million offer.