Dodgers reach agreement with Yamamoto amidst spending spree

The Dodgers have signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract. Shelby Miller agreed to a $3.25 million deal with the Tigers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly signed prized free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a record $325 million, 12-year contract, according to multiple reports. This comes on the heels of the Dodgers signing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million, 10-year deal last week. The Dodgers did not confirm the agreement with Yamamoto on Thursday night, but MLB.com and ESPN reported the deal, citing anonymous sources. The New York Yankees and New York Mets were among the many clubs that pursued Yamamoto. This is the third major pitching coup for the NL West champion Dodgers this offseason, as they also signed right-hander Tyler Glasnow to a $136.5 million, five-year contract after he was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to Los Angeles. Ohtani made a video pitch to Glasnow to join him in Hollywood. Yamamoto was 16-6 with a 1.21 ERA this season, striking out 169 and walking 28 in 164 innings. He is 70-29 with a 1.82 ERA in seven seasons with the Orix Buffaloes. Yamamoto's deal with the Dodgers would be the largest and longest ever guaranteed to a big league pitcher. Ohtani was a two-time AL MVP with the Los Angeles Angels before moving to the Dodgers. Yamamoto pitched his second career no-hitter, the 100th in Japanese big league history, on Sept. 9 for the Buffaloes against the Lotte Marines. The game, watched by MLB executives, extended his scoreless streak to 42 innings. A two-time Pacific League MVP, Yamamoto also threw a no-hitter against the Seibu Lions on June 18 last year. Following hard-throwing 21-year-old sensation Roki Sasaki, Yamamoto gave up two runs and three hits in 3 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and two walks, allowing Alex Verdugo's RBI double. Under the MLB-NPB agreement, the posting fee will be 20% of the first $25 million of a major league contract, including earned bonuses and options. The percentage drops to 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of any amount over $50 million. There would be a supplemental fee of 15% of any earned bonuses, salary escalators and exercised options. In other news, right-hander Shelby Miller agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers, a deal including a 2025 team option and performance bonuses that could be worth up to $11 million over two seasons if he closes regularly. The 33-year-old was 3-0 with one save and a 1.71 ERA in 35 relief appearances and one start for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, striking out 42 and walking 19 in 42 innings. Making a push to improve in what appears to be a winnable AL Central, the Tigers exercised outfielder Mark Canha's $11.5 million option, and reached agreements with pitchers Jack Flaherty, Kenta Maeda, and Andrew Chafin.

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