Yamamoto joining L.A. Dodgers for 12 years, $325 million
The Dodgers continued to add to their embarrassment of riches Dec. 21, agreeing with Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto on a 12-year deal worth $325 million, plus a posting fee of $50.6 million.
The deal comes after Yamamoto was posted and made available to MLB teams in November. He was second to only Shohei Ohtani on Yahoo Sports’ list of this winter’s top 25 free agents.
Yamamoto’s deal is the largest pitching contract in MLB history. Unlike Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers, this contract reportedly does not contain any deferrals, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is the largest contract for a pitcher in Major League Baseball history, beating Gerrit Cole’s deal by $1 million. Furthermore, the Dodgers will pay an additional $50.6 million in posting fee. Total outlay: 12 years, $375M.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2023
Dodgers acquire and extend Glasnow
The Dodgers added a new pitcher to their rotation Dec. 14, completing a trade for Tyler Glasnow with the Tampa Bay Rays. In exchange for Glasnow, the Rays received outfielder Jonny Deluca and pitcher Ryan Pepiot. The Dodgers also received outfielder Manuel Margot in the deal.
The deal was contingent on Glasnow signing an extension with the Dodgers, and the next day, the two sides came to terms on a five-year, $135 million deal.
BREAKING: Right-hander Tyler Glasnow and the Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing a five-year, $135 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Once the deal is complete, the trade of Glasnow and Manuel Margot from the Rays to the Dodgers for Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca will be official.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 15, 2023
Michael Wacha heading to Kansas City
The Royals wanted to boost their rotation this offseason, and on Dec. 15, they landed their second starting pitcher of the winter. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, right-hander Michael Wacha agreed to a two-year, $32 million deal with Kansas City.
Wacha, 32, was 14-4 with 124 strikeouts in 134.1 innings pitched in 24 appearances with the San Diego Padres last season. He’ll join Seth Lugo as the new faces of the Royals’ rotation. They were the No. 17 and 18 free agents on Zach Crizer’s top-25 free agents list.
Dodgers introduce Shohei Ohtani at media conference
Shohei Ohtani made his first appearance in a Dodgers jersey on Dec. 14, when the team formally introduced him at a media conference at Dodger Stadium.
In addition to the formalities, those in attendance learned that Ohtani’s dog’s American name is Decoy and that Dodgers ownership told the two-way star that they considered the past decade a failure.
Shohei Ohtani said that Dodgers ownership told him that even though they made the playoffs 10 straight times and won a ring, they considered the past decade a failure. He said that mindset appealed to him.
— Stephanie Apstein (@stephapstein) December 14, 2023
Not much was revealed about the procedure Ohtani had on his elbow, except that it was different than the standard Tommy John surgery.
I asked Nez Balelo directly about the surgery Shohei Ohtani had. He said it has no name – that’s how uncommon it is – and his progress so far is ahead of the typical Tommy John surgery timetable for recovery.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 14, 2023
Live27 updates
-
Free-agent infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a two-year, $15 million contract, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal. The deal includes $1 million in incentives.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 27, 2023
-
Free-agent catcher Martín Maldonado and the Chicago White Sox are close to an agreement, according to sources familiar with the situation.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 27, 2023
-
-
#BlueJays are in agreement with Kevin Kiermaier on a one-year, $10.5 million deal pending physical per source@Feinsand was on this. Deal includes some incentives
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) December 26, 2023
-
-
-
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s deal includes a pair of opt-outs, sources tell ESPN.
Here are more details on the contract, which is pending a physical: 12 years, $325 million (which includes a $50 million signing bonus), no deferred money, an additional $50.6 million posting fee to Orix.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2023
-
-
No deferrals in Yamamoto’s 12-year, $325M contract with Dodgers, per source. Signing bonus of $50M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 22, 2023
-
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is the largest contract for a pitcher in Major League Baseball history, beating Gerrit Cole’s deal by $1 million. Furthermore, the Dodgers will pay an additional $50.6 million in posting fee. Total outlay: 12 years, $375M.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2023
-
Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on an 12-year, $325 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 22, 2023
-
The Giants have been told they’re out of the bidding for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, per source familiar with discussions. They pushed hard but expectation is that he will end up in LA or NY.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) December 22, 2023
-
Contrary to previous reports, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will NOT be attending the Rams’ game tonight, per source. Shohei Ohtani might be there, but Yamamoto won’t be.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 21, 2023
-
Can confirm that Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are expected to be at the Rams game tonight, for whatever it’s worth
Happy hot stove szn https://t.co/Vxn8UXY34N
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) December 21, 2023
-
-
-
-
-
Outfielder Lourdes Gurriel’s deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks is for three years and $42 million with a club option for a fourth season, sources tell me and @kileymcd. The deal also includes an opt-out after the second season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 17, 2023
-
Free-agent outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in agreement with Diamondbacks, pending physical, source tells @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 17, 2023
This article contains affilate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
