Getty Image / Ronald Martinez
Remember the Los Angeles Dodgers’ incredible offseason spending spree? It wasn’t just Shohei Ohtani headlining the new acquisitions in Chavez Ravine: there was also Japanese superstar pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The Dodgers made Yamamoto the highest-paid starting pitcher of all-time, if you don’t count the two-way player, Ohtani. They signed him to a 12-year $325 million contract.
And, who could blame them? Just 25-years-old, Yoshinobu Yamamoto had already won three-straight pitching triple crowns (wins, ERA, strikeouts) in the NPB, the second-best baseball league in the world. His stuff played too, with a mid-90’s fastball and electric breaking stuff.
It’s not like the Dodgers were the only team offering him big money. Other big market clubs like the Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox were in on Yamamoto.
Yes, it’s early, but the returns are not good. Coming into his fifth start of the year against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on Friday night, he came in with a 4.50 ERA in 16 innings.
Things did not get better against the Mets on Friday, either. Yamamoto gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits in 6 innings to dig the Dodgers into a big hole. Again, it’s very early in his career, but at some point he’s got to start getting big league hitters out.
And, Dodgers fans on Twitter are getting fed up.
Yamamoto stinks. Getting paid like an ace and he sucks
— The Encino Man thinks the Dodgers SUCK (@DaEncinoMan) April 20, 2024
#Dodgers really starting to stink right now. This week has been awful. Yamamoto can't pitch well and Taylor's bat is certainly dead. Hopefully we will get back in groove this weekend. Or next week.
— Operaz (@TonyBaseball399) April 20, 2024
I think they’re probably jumping the gun a little bit. But, considering the money spent on him, I think it’s fair to expect more out of such a highly-paid player.