The Dodgers’ signing of Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto gives them a true ace-level starter in the starting rotation for the foreseeable future. He signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the team, and is now ready to get...
The Dodgers’ signing of Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto gives them a true ace-level starter in the starting rotation for the foreseeable future. He signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the team, and is now ready to get started.
Yamamoto is a competitor through and through, which is something L.A. loved about him during their meeting. He wants to win at the highest level, and do so while playing on the biggest stage.
During his introductory press conference with L.A., Yamamoto made it clear that he will start to work toward being a role model for the next generation of players. He has long admired the MLB stars, but now his goal is to become one of them for others to look up to.
“I will stop simply admiring the players that I have looked up to, but rather strive to become the player that others want to become.”
Playing for the Dodgers will present Yamamoto with some challenges along the way. He has never thrown a pitch in the big leagues, so it may take him a minute to get accustomed to everything.
But the Dodgers aren’t worried about how he will transition over to the league, and they believe he has the stuff to become an ace for a long time. Multiple teams offered him contracts over $300 million, so that should make the team feel better about the contract they signed Yamamoto on.
If Yamamoto can become the role model that he is striving to be, the Dodgers will have gotten a steal with his signing. His potential is through the roof, and he is seen as the best pitcher to come over from Japan.
L.A. is extremely high on the upside of the right-hander, and they see him as their front-line starter for years to come. They couldn’t be more excited that he is a member of the team, and now it’s time to get to work.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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