The Los Angeles Dodgers had one hell of an offseason.
Not only did they sign two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani to the largest contract in baseball history – they followed it up by signing fellow Japanese superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Coming off a down-year for their standards, the Dodgers figure to be back with a vengeance this season.
This trio. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/LMuNvRpxRg
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 6, 2024
With plenty of interest, and potentially better offers around the league, Yamamoto decided to team up with Ohtani in Hollywood.
His 12-year, $325 million contract certainly raised plenty of eyebrows. But by all accounts, he figures to be worth every penny.
Yamamoto Drill Progression 🧵⬇️
Yoshi has become the talk of Major League Baseball since signing with the Dodgers this off-season (rightfully so – he’s a freak).
He does an incredible job of creating momentum down the mound, all while setting up his pelvis to rotate and block… pic.twitter.com/d5PeQ6gtHC
— Turner Givens (@TurnerGivens) February 29, 2024
Interestingly, his massive contract is loaded with plenty of juicy perks.
While perks and bonuses are commonplace in contracts, especially when it comes to star players, Yamamoto’s one is certainly unique.
Clayton Kershaw back at Camelback Ranch watching Yoshinobu Yamamoto throw on Wednesday🔥
🎥: Angela3128 on IG pic.twitter.com/oFm0VOSJ50
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) March 7, 2024
Among the many perks and privileges granted to the Japanese phenom are access to a personal trainer, a physical therapist, and an interpreter to ease his transition to life in America.
In addition is the provision of roundtrip airline tickets, including four business class tickets valued at up to $8,500 each per trip.
The Dodgers also promise to make their “best efforts” to provide Japanese food on virtually a daily basis.
Perks in Yamamoto Dodgers contract: personal trainer; physical therapist, interpreter; 4 business class RT airline tickets ($8,500 max per RT) per year; 1 premium economy RT airline ticket to LA for use by family per year; best efforts to make Japanese food available.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 4, 2024
Yamamoto will also have a hotel suite for every road trip. And he can’t be sent down to the minor leagues for any reason without his permission.
Although he doesn’t have a no-trade clause like Ohtani does, he does have a clause in his contract that enables him to immediately opt-out of his contract after the season he’s (theoretically) traded.
I was a little skeptical, but goddamn! He looked great😵
— James Choi (@thebandgeek014) February 28, 2024
The Dodgers enter the 2024 season as favorites to win the World Series.
Of course, that means absolutely nothing. As we all know, games aren’t played on paper and crazy things happen in October.
Having said that, LA is definitely loaded … Anything short of a World Series title would certainly be a bitter disappointment.
X map shows Dodgers are early fan favorites to win 2024 World Series. 🏆 https://t.co/W3uKFtXuln pic.twitter.com/V7uIVRy6dz
— theScore (@theScore) March 6, 2024
What are your thoughts on the Dodgers?
Will Yamamoto live up to the hype? … Will Ohtani?
Most importantly, will the Dodgers win the World Series this season???
Mood. pic.twitter.com/h8g3wgp1PI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 6, 2024