The Los Angeles Dodgers have made headlines yet again with their record-breaking spending spree in free agency. Last week, they agreed to a mind-boggling 12-year, $325 million deal with Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has never even thrown a pitch in Major League Baseball (MLB).

This astronomical contract surpasses Gerrit Cole's $324 million deal from 2019 by just $1 million, making it the largest ever given to a pitcher in MLB history. Many baseball fans in the United States were caught off guard by this signing, as they had never heard of Yamamoto before the free agency period began.

The confusion and disbelief surrounding Yamamoto's contract were evident when former MLB outfielder Josh Reddick took to social media to express his astonishment. Reddick posted on X (formerly Twitter), "How do you give a guy $325 million without ever throwing a pitch in MLB?" One user responded by saying, "baseball is ruined," to which Reddick agreed.

However, Reddick's criticism was quickly met with reminders of his own involvement in the infamous sign-stealing scandal that tainted the Houston Astros' 2017 World Series victory. Users didn't hesitate to call out Reddick for his hypocrisy, pointing out that he shouldn't be talking about ruining baseball when he was part of a team that cheated their way to a championship.

Others came to Yamamoto's defense, highlighting his impressive accomplishments in the Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball league. The 25-year-old right-hander has been named the MVP of the Pacific League for three consecutive years and boasts a remarkable 1.72 ERA in seven seasons. In his most recent season with the Orix Buffaloes, Yamamoto recorded a phenomenal 1.21 ERA. He showcased his dominance in Game 6 of the Japan Series, where he struck out 14 batters and led his team to a 5-1 victory.

Contrary to Reddick's claim that the Dodgers' spending spree is ruining baseball, it is evident that the team values talent regardless of where it comes from. The Dodgers previously signed Shohei Ohtani to a staggering $700 million deal, with $680 million of it deferred. This further illustrates their willingness to invest in top-tier players, regardless of the price tag.

The Dodgers' pursuit of Yoshinobu Yamamoto was highly competitive, with multiple teams, including the New York Yankees and New York Mets, vying for his services. The Mets reportedly offered $325 million, while the Yankees' offer fell slightly short at $300 million. However, it was the Dodgers who ultimately secured the deal, cementing their position as one of the most ambitious teams in the league.

Yamamoto's pitching arsenal is certainly impressive, with a fastball that averages 95 mph and the ability to touch 99 mph. He also possesses great control, evidenced by his impressive 4.56 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Dodgers will be counting on him to bolster their rotation alongside Walker Buehler and Tyler Glasnow.

With the addition of Yamamoto's contract, the Dodgers have committed to over $1 billion worth of contracts this offseason alone, further solidifying their reputation as big spenders in the league. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Yamamoto to see if he can live up to the massive expectations that come with such a historic contract.