Yamamoto signed a 12-year, $325M deal with the Dodgers in 2024 — the largest ever for a Japanese pitcher.

Year 1 included time missed due to injury, but post-return he has hovered around a low-3 ERA.

His NPB-era fastball-splitter combo translates to MLB effectively.

The contract length carries risk, but several ace-caliber seasons would make it pay off per many projections.