Interesting Contract Details For New Dodgers Stud Yoshinobu Yamamoto Revealed

About two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers made another big splash this offseason, signing Japanese ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year deal worth $325 million.

It continues a massive offseason that has seen the Dodgers sign generational superstar Shohei Ohtani and trade for ace Tyler Glasnow. With these three in the fold, the Dodgers are right there with the Atlanta Braves in terms of being favorites in the National League.

We knew that Yamamoto's deal contained opt-outs already, but the Associated Press recently revealed the conditions around those opt-outs.

If Yamamoto has Tommy John surgery or is on the injured list for a right elbow injury for 134 consecutive service days from 2024-29, he would have the right to opt out after the 2031 and 2033 World Series, according to terms of the deal obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

If he avoids Tommy John surgery and doesn’t miss that much time with an elbow issue during that window, he can instead opt out after the 2029 and 2031 World Series.

So the bottom line is this: The Dodgers are trying to guarantee themselves as much time with Yamamoto on their pitching staff as possible. They don't want to see him miss time with injury and then also leave. Given his talent level and expectations, it seems wise that they would want to keep in the fold as long as possible before allowing him the chance to leave for another organization.

Los Angeles won the National League West in 2023 but was swept in the NLDS by the Arizona Diamondbacks.