Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has agreed to a 12-year, $325 million (about ¥46.3 billion) contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB.com reported late Thursday.
The 25-year-old right-hander will join compatriot Shohei Ohtani as a member of the star-laden Dodgers.
Yamamato's pact, which is pending a physical, would eclipse New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole's deal by $1 million, making it the largest contract for a pitcher in major league history (not counting the contract for two-way superstar Ohtani). The Dodgers also will pay $50.6 million to the Orix Buffaloes as a posting fee. Yamamoto helped lead the Buffaloes to Pacific League pennants in each of the past three seasons.