Yoshinobu Yamamoto On Joining Dodgers: Ohtani Wasn’t The Sole Reason

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed their newest member. Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto of Japan was formally unveiled at a press conference held at Dodger Stadium.

Yamamoto just signed a record-breaking $325 million 12-year contract. Gerrit Cole’s $324 million contract with the New York Yankees was barely defeated by his $325 million agreement, making it the highest pitching contract in history.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto On Joining Dodgers: Ohtani Wasn’t The Sole Reason

Following the high-profile chase that involved the Mets and Yankees, Yamamoto met with media for the first time at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday after Los Angeles officially announced the contract.

Late on Thursday night, Yamamoto reached an agreement to sign a 12-year, $325 million contract, making him the organization’s second acquisition of a Japanese superstar this offseason.

The 25-year-old disclosed that Los Angeles could have been the first choice from the beginning.

“Good afternoon. My name is Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the L.A. Dodgers,” Yamamoto said in English to open his press conference. “I am beyond ecstatic to become a member of this historic franchise, and cannot express how much it means to me to be able to call Los Angeles my new home.”

“I wouldn’t say [Ohtani] was the sole reason I decided to come here,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter during his introductory press conference. “Even if he went somewhere else, I probably still would have ended up in LA as a Dodger. But on top of that, Shohei is obviously not only just one of the best Japanese players, but he’s one of the best players period in all of MLB. And so to be able to play with him from here on out, it definitely means a lot to [me].”

In addition, the Dodgers gave Yamamoto, who was courted by other organizations but feared he wouldn’t get the opportunity to see a Los Angeles postseason game in person at the age of 19, the opportunity to win.

Yamamoto claimed to have gone to a Dodger Stadium postseason game in 2019 that Maeda began. It sold him on the atmosphere at Dodger Stadium and inspired him to throw in Major League Baseball when he was just 19 years old.

“It was very important to be with a team that wants to win. Not only now, but in the future as well. I really felt throughout the whole process, the Dodgers provided that opportunity most,” Yamamoto said.

Teams were vying for Yamamoto because of his impressive performance for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball.

In addition to earning the Sawamura Award, the NPL’s version of the Cy Young Award, he won three consecutive MVPs and had a 1.65 ERA.

Yamamoto visited with the Mets and Yankees on many occasions; the Bronx Bombers were considered the front-runners to sign the star, and the Mets made a further $325 million offer before the Dodgers prevailed.

How good is Yoshinobu Yamamoto?

With a lifetime 1.72 ERA, he has pitched two no-hitters in the last two years. With just 36 home runs allowed in his seven seasons in Japan, including two in 164 innings this past season, Yamamoto is a master at containing the power of his opponents.

How fast does Yoshinobu Yamamoto throw?

With a very basic windup, the ball just leaps out of his hand, and he can reach speeds of up to 99 mph with his fastball. This overlay shows how Yamamoto’s powerful fastball and his wicked curveball combine to create a nearly unfair combination.

 

 

 

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