The Los Angeles Dodgers have embarked on a historic spending spree, committing over $1 billion in new contracts. Starting with a massive 10-year, $700 million contract for two-way star Shohei Ohtani, they’ve followed it up with an unprecedented contract for his fellow Japanese cohort, Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

A significant addition to the Dodgers’ rotation, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is one of the top starting pitchers. The Dodgers have secured his talents on a record-breaking 12-year, $325 million contract, marking the largest and longest contract ever given to a big league pitcher. The Mets didn’t land Yamamoto, who chose to go to the Dodgers instead.

These financial commitments signal that the Dodgers are not just trying to maintain a competitive team; they’re making enormous investments to build a powerhouse. The combination of Ohtani and Yamamoto could potentially reshape the entire 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitching rotation. Despite the steep price tags, these strategic decisions are a testament to the Dodgers’ determination to obtain and retain high-caliber talent to compete at the highest levels of the sport for years to come.