The Los Angeles Dodgers have made waves in Major League Baseball with their 12-year, $325 million free-agent contract with Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This deal includes a $50 million signing bonus and no deferred money, establishing Yamamoto as the highest-paid pitcher in terms of guarantee before even throwing a pitch in the majors.
Yamamoto’s total payout and combined investment, including a posting fee of over $375 million is a significant commitment from the Dodgers. The team’s luxury tax payroll stands at about $282 million according to Fangraphs, and despite the huge investment in Yamamoto and others, they are still in a position to possibly trade for another starting pitcher and potentially upgrade at shortstop.
This move to extend Yamamoto’s deal through his age 36 season is seen as a way for the Dodgers to manage the luxury tax hit. The team’s manager, Dave Roberts, is expected to face a new level of pressure with the high expectations created by the team’s star-studded lineup and pitching rotation.
The Dodgers, under the leadership of Andrew Friedman, have made significant investments in players this offseason, showcasing the team’s commitment to winning. Yamamoto’s signing stands as the team’s biggest bet yet.
This latest move by the Dodgers is expected to intensify the competition in the league, sparking conversations about the increasing payroll disparity between big-market and small-market teams. As the gap continues to widen, it is anticipated that the next round of baseball’s labor negotiations could become a significant battle.