Yoshinobu Yamamoto Contract's Unique Perks Revealed
The LA Dodgers are already treating Yoshinobu Yamamoto like a king before the $325 million man has even thrown out a Major League pitch.
While baseball fans were already amazed by Yamamoto's contract when he inked the deal last month, things were taken to a new level on Thursday. NY Post's Jon Heyman has revealed the insane perks that the Dodgers added to the Japanese star's 12-year contract, which range from roundtrip airline tickets to a personal trainer and everything in between.
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
Dodgers News: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Contract Perks
The fact that Yamamoto and his agent were able to negotiate some of these perks is quite impressive. For starters, the NPB phenom will have access to both a personal trainer and physical therapist, as well as an interpreter to help him get used to life in America.
Additionally, Yamamoto receives four business class roundtrip tickets worth a maximum of $8,500 per trip. That's without mentioning how he'll also have one premium economy ticket that can be used by a family member each year. In other words, expect him to have a familiar presence more often than not wherever the Dodgers play.
One of the biggest transitions to moving to a new country is always the food and that'll be the case for Yamamoto, who spent a quarter of a century in Japan. Fortunately for him, the Dodgers have agreed to ensure that they'll put forth the "best efforts to make Japanese food available."
Considering how Rentech Digital lists over 1,300 Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles alone, all but guaranteeing that the Dodgers should be able to find at least a few chefs who can make Yamamoto feel at home.
The contract perk news comes a few days after ESPN revealed the opt-out clauses in Yamamoto's contract. If the hurler undergoes Tommy John surgery or spends "134 consecutive service days" on the injured list between 2024 and 2029, he can opt out of his contract following the World Series in 2031 and 2033.
Additionally, he can opt out in 2029 and 2031 if he avoids Tommy John surgery and/or missing time due to any right elbow-related issues.
One thing is for certain after the latest Yamamoto news: Dodgers fans can't wait to see if all of his contract demands — both financial and perk-based — are worth it all.
For now, Yamamoto's signing is worth it in oddsmakers' eyes. The Dodgers are currently the clear-cut odds-on favorite to win the 2024 World Series on FanDuel Sportsbook.