"This is literal cheating" "Baseball needs a salary cap" - MLB fans furious as Dodgers to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto on a $325,000,000 contract

By Nishant Borooah

Modified Dec 23, 2023 07:08 GMT

Yoshinobu Yamamoto of Team Japan looks on before the game against Team Republic of Korea during the semifinals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

The LA Dodgers have reportedly signed Japanese free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto on a 12-year, $325 million deal on Thursday evening. After one of the longest free agency situations in MLB market history, the LA side has finally closed the deal with the new Japanese ace. This has left rival fans furious as there seems to be no end to the Dodgers' spending capabilities, having landed the two biggest free agents of the offseason.

The 25-year-old starting pitcher has already attracted the biggest MLB contract for any new player entering the market in the history of the league. Yamamoto started his professional baseball career in the NPB in 2017 and took the league by storm in six short years. Having won virtually every award available in Japan, Yamamoto was posted to the MLB market this year and has now been landed by the Dodgers.

The LA Dodgers reportedly managed to see off stiff competition from the New York Yankees and the New York Mets for the Japanese star's signature. This latest development comes after the LA side signed Shohei Ohtani, offering him the biggest contract ever seen in the MLB (10 years, $700 million).

Fans across the country were unhappy to see one team dominate the market to such an extent and made their feelings clear on social media.

Will Yoshinobu Yamamoto make the Dodgers' Opening Day roster?

The LA Dodgers have landed the two most coveted free agents in this winter's MLB market and show no intention of slowing down. They are determined to build a side that will challenge for the World Series title next year.

While Shohei Ohtani fits in without much complications in the Dodgers roster, it remains to be seen where Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start his MLB career. Despite the huge contract, Yamamoto's lack of MLB experience means he might spend some time in the minors to get used to the style of play in the US.

About the author

Nishant Borooah is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2023 and has a degree in Media Studies and Journalism.

Nishant is currently pursuing a diploma in Sports Marketing, and his interest in baseball was piqued early on by his father, who fell in love with baseball as a student in the US. His father used to regale him with stories about America's favorite pastime and they have left an impression on him.

Currently residing in Toronto, Nishant is a Blue Jays fan. revering Ichiro Suzuki growing up, Nishant remains in awe of the Japanese legend's longevity and sheer passion for the game. Suzuki's return to the Seattle Mariners in 2018 remains one of Nishant's favorite MLB moments.

One of Nishant's strengths is that he always covers the technical side of the story, and he is also particular about historical context to ensure articles are informative and easy to follow.

Besides being a writer, Nishant is also a soccer coach who has worked with several clubs in India like Shillong Lajong FC and RoundGlass Punjab FC.

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