Dodgers Reportedly Considering $250-$300 Million Bid to Sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The clock is ticking for free agent starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The consensus best pitcher to emerge from Japan — this offseason, if not ever — has the majority of big-market teams vying for his services.
The two New York squads and the Dodgers are often mentioned as the favorites to sign Yamamoto. It’s been reported that he prefers to pitch in a big market, and that he wants to embrace the spotlight that comes with it.
This would seem to help the Dodgers’ chances. Shohei Ohtani’s contract deferrals have allowed them to be aggressive in free agency and in trades. The same week they completed a trade with Tampa Bay for starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, the Dodgers’ front office was focused on trying to land Yamamoto.
A big boost for any starting rotation, Yamamoto appears to be the front office’s number-one priority.
Club officials pulled out all of the stops when they met with Yamamoto last week, calling on several stars to join along for the in-person visit. Even Ohtani, whose signing was announced just last week, has been recruiting Yamamoto to sign with the Dodgers. The two have been teammates already, leading Team Japan to victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
How badly do the Dodgers want to sign Yamamoto? Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times has the numbers:
“The team also is believed to be considering a bid of $250 million to $300 million for Yamamoto, according to a person with knowledge of the plans but unauthorized to speak publicly, a sign of its intention to compete for another free agent attracting plenty of other big-market suitors such as the Mets and New York Yankees.”
Per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times
With the obvious exception of Ohtani, the total value of that contract would be the largest the Dodgers have ever committed to a pitcher. Clayton Kershaw signed a seven-year, $215 million contract extension prior to the 2014 season, the previous high-water mark.
There had been talk about Yamamoto possibly getting upwards of $300 million this offseason. That remains to be seen.
Since he has never thrown a pitch in the big leagues, and his Japanese club is owed a posting fee, a $250-300 million contract might be reasonable. Scouts consider Yamamoto as a potential challenger to Yu Darvish for the title of best MLB pitcher to come from Japan. Many in the industry believe his stuff will translate well to the United States.
The Dodgers understand Ohtani’s contract deferrals came with the expectation of further spending to keep the team competitive. Ohtani has vouched for Yamamoto. Now it’s time to see how far the team is willing to go to land him.
Photo Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
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