Where Does the Yamamoto Deal Rank in Baseball History?

MLB has made the headlines recently due to staggering deals signed by some of its biggest stars. The latest comes courtesy of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are reportedly signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto on a 12-year-deal worth $325m, according to multiple sources.

deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars have become commonplace

For those not too familiar with the world of baseball, that figure might seem extortionate. But deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars have become commonplace in the MLB of late.

VegasSlotsOnline News has taken a look through the recent history books to list the biggest deals in baseball. From the Texas Rangers’ Corey Seager to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shoehei Ohtani, all of these players have lined their pockets with gold.

5. Yoshinobu Yamamoto to Dodgers

$325m over 12 Years

Yamamoto, our most recent entry, actually comes in fifth in the biggest contracts in MLB history. The Japanese right-handed pitcher is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Orix Buffaloes, according to reports this week.

The 25-year-old secured a record of 70-29 with one save while playing for the Buffaloes. Due to their nationality, the team will also get a $50.6m ‘posting fee’ to compensate them.

Although he certainly hasn’t secured the top spot on our list by a long way, Yamamoto has secured the most guaranteed dollars ever given to a pitcher. It supersedes the record $324m contract signed by New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole in 2020.

4. Corey Seager to Rangers

$325m over 10 Years

Core Seager signed his 10-year contract with the Texas Rangers two offseasons ago in a deal that puts him fourth in our list. The shortstop is one of the best hitters in baseball and was a NLCS and World Series MVP in 2020 while playing for the Dodgers before he made the move at the age of 27.

the Rangers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks to win the World Series

Meanwhile, the Rangers hadn’t had a winning season since 2016, prompting many to question the move. He countered the criticism by arguing that the Dodgers had a meticulous plan to return to winning ways. That all came to fruition this year when the Rangers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks to win the World Series.

3. Bryce Harper to Phillies

$330m over 13 Years

In 2019, Bryce Harper signed what was at the time the largest free-agent contract in the history of the four North American Major Leagues. Although that record is now no more, Harper’s $330m deal with the Philadelphia Phillies puts him just outside the top two in our list of baseball contracts.

Before joining the Phillies, Harper won National League MVP playing for the Washington Nationals. He rejected a contract offer made by his former team on the final day of the regular season in 2018, instead deciding to take up free agency. The right fielder’s Phillies deal also earned him a $20m signing bonus with no deferred money.

In fact, Harper is so happy with his current contract that he is supposedly seeking an extension to last until the end of his career. Five years into his tenure with the team and he has won an MVP and helped the team win one pennant while getting to within one win of another.

2. Aaron Judge to Yankees

$360m over 9 Years

The New York Yankees finalized a deal with Aaron Judge in December 2022. The nine-year contract takes the second spot on our list thanks to the $360m price tag for the American outfielder.

rejected a $213.5m offer that would have spanned a seven-year period

Judge has played for the Yankees since 2016 so the deal secured his position at the club for a further nine years. He actually rejected a $213.5m offer that would have spanned a seven-year period, earning the 31-year-old an additional $146.5m and two guaranteed seasons.  

Last season, Judge hit .311 and tied for the major league lead with 131 RBI. He hit a staggering 16 more home runs than any other player.

1. Shohei Ohtani to Dodgers

$700m over 10 Years

Number one on our list likely needs very little introduction. Shohei Ohtani signed for the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this month after spending six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. The $700m deal is not only the largest contract in baseball history, it is also the largest amount handed out by any team in sports history.

That said, there is an asterisk next to that total due to what one source described as “unprecedented deferrals” involved in the deal. Ohtani will defer $680m of his contract until after he has hung up his spikes. This means he will receive just $2m per season instead of $70m. Beginning in 2034, when he is 39, he will receive $68m. Ohtani said he will do this to help the team in terms of financial flexibility.

Regardless, the Dodgers have secured themselves an unbelievable player. This year, he became the first MLB man ever named Most Valuable Player by unanimous vote twice.

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• Source: https://www.vegasslotsonline.com/news/2023/12/22/yoshinobu-yamamoto-to-the-dodgers-where-his-deal-ranks-in-baseball-contract-history/