Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 27, 2023, closing one of the most anticipated signings in recent baseball history. The Japanese right-hander agreed to a 12-year, $325 million fully guaranteed deal — a figure that reflects both his dominance in NPB and the sky-high expectations that followed him to the majors. On top of the contract itself, the Dodgers also sent $50.6 million in posting fees to his former team, the Orix Buffaloes.
Contract Snapshot
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Signed: December 27, 2023
- Length: 12 years (2024–2035)
- Total Guaranteed Value: $325 million
- Average Annual Value: $27.1 million
- Signing Bonus: $50 million
- Posting Fee: $50.6 million
- No-Trade Clause: No
How the Deal Is Structured
The contract runs from 2024 through 2035 at an average of $27.1 million per year. Yamamoto received a $50 million signing bonus up front, front-loading a significant chunk of his early compensation. At 12 years, it ranks among the longest and most ambitious commitments the Dodgers have ever made to a single player.
Most importantly, this is the largest contract ever awarded to a pitcher in MLB history, surpassing every previous benchmark at the position. Los Angeles bet heavily on Yamamoto’s consistency and long-term upside anchoring their rotation for over a decade.
The Fine Print
The deal includes two opt-out clauses: Yamamoto can opt out after the 2029 and 2031 seasons, provided he hasn’t spent an extended stretch on the injured list due to elbow issues. The provision protects both sides — giving Yamamoto leverage if his market value rises, while giving the Dodgers some structural flexibility.
The contract is 100% guaranteed, meaning Los Angeles is on the hook for all $325 million regardless of injuries or performance. That level of security is a direct reflection of how much the organization believes in him.
Where Yamamoto Ranks Among the Biggest Contracts in MLB History
- All-time MLB contracts: #11
- Among pitchers: #2
Rankings based on total guaranteed value, not accounting for deferred money. Data via Spotrac and Baseball-Reference as of August 11, 2026.
Yamamoto sits at No. 11 all-time in MLB contract history and No. 2 among pitchers. His deal puts him in an elite tier at his position, though a handful of position-player contracts have eclipsed it in total value. The ranking speaks to both his individual talent and the broader trend of top-of-the-rotation arms commanding unprecedented money in today’s game.
Before the Dodgers
- Orix Buffaloes (NPB): 2017–2023 — contract terms not public; entered MLB via posting system
Yamamoto spent his entire pre-MLB career with the Orix Buffaloes, establishing himself as one of the best pitchers in Japanese baseball. Over those seasons he built a reputation for consistency, durability, and the ability to compete at the highest level — qualities that made him the most coveted international pitching prospect in years.
His move to the Dodgers in 2024 was the turning point. With a $325 million contract in hand, Yamamoto went from regional star to one of the highest-paid pitchers on the planet — a recognition of his talent and of what he means to a franchise built to win championships.
