Dodgers World Series odds after landing Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The sweepstakes for Japanese star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto have come to an end and once again, it's the World Series-favorite Los Angeles Dodgers winning out.
According to multiple reports on Thursday evening, Yamamoto agreed to a record-breaking $325 million contract over 12 years to join a Dodgers team that has spent the offseason putting together a juggernaut for 2024 that features fellow Japanese star Shohei Ohtani.
2024 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series odds: Dodgers favored over Braves
When Shohei Ohtani's contract was announced, Los Angeles skipped over the Braves and jumped to around +300 to win the National League and +550 to win the World Series at DraftKings.
Currently, the Dodgers' number has shrunk at DK (+400) with Los Angeles clearing the Braves, Yankees and Astros by quite a bit. In the National League, Los Angeles (+210 at DraftKings) is head-and-shoulders above Atlanta (+360) and Philadelphia (+550).
Historic Yoshinobu Yamamoto contract pays him $325 over 12 seasons in Los Angeles
Yamamoto's deal is the highest for any pitcher in MLB history, clearing Gerrit Cole's record ($324M). Between Yamamoto and Ohtani, the Dodgers have shelled out over a billion dollars in total to the two players this offseason. As a result, their 2024 MLB World Series odds are pretty short entering the new year.
Yamamoto chose the Dodgers over both New York teams, with the Yankees reportedly offering $300 million and the Mets offering the same term and amount he eventually agreed to.
The 25-year-old ace is also set to receive a $50.6 million posting fee, which means he'll wind up with over $375 million total.
Unfortunately, Ohtani won't be taking the mound in 2024. But Yamamoto will be, and star pitcher was at the center of this winter’s MLB hot stove. If not for Ohtani hitting the market, Yamamoto’s free agency would’ve drawn even more fanfare and his signing with Los Angeles stands as one of the offseason’s monumental additions.
Yamamoto not only won the Nippon Professional Baseball league’s last three Sawamura awards – the league’s equivalent to MLB’s Cy Young – but is the reigning back-to-back league MVP.
The transition from Japan’s top ranks to the big leagues notwithstanding, it’s no surprise Yamamoto garners preseason Rookie of the Year attention. He owns a 1.82 career ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 0.36 home run rate across 897 innings, metrics that figure to play at the game’s highest level.
Whether or not he ultimately finishes 2024 as the league’s top rookie is of less importance than what he’s expected to provide to his new team.
Yamamoto features a plus fastball that sits at 95 mph and reaches 99. He complements his heater with a devastating splitter and big curveball. His slider and cutter, rarely used or needed in Japan, are also considered potential weapons against big league hitters.
If there’s a concern among the MLB scouting and evaluation communities, it’s his slight 5-foot-10, 176-pound frame. It’s a stature that naturally invites comparisons to Pedro Martinez and Tim Linecum.
Fans and bettors alike owe it to themselves to pump the brakes when it comes to comparisons. However, even with that caveat, scouts aren’t typically reckless or frivolous with such lofty comps.
There’s certainly reason to be excited about what Yamamoto brings to the Dodgers as they pursue World Series glory. And it’s reasonable to be bullish on his individual 2024 MLB Rookie of the Year odds given his experience and success at a high level of play.
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Craig Williams is a Charlotte-based content creator for Catena Media, who focuses on betting content and analysis. He draws from his professional experience that spans the gaming, fantasy, and sports business industries. Craig is an avid fan of basketball, baseball, football, and soccer, though don’t try to pin him down on a favorite — the No. 1 spot is rented, not owned.
