Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers was the largest total dollar value given to a MLB pitcher at the time when it was signed in 2023. Joel Wolfe of Wasserman negotiated the historic Dodgers deal as his agent.
He is back in the news on Monday, and has been very outspoken about the proposed MLB salary cap.
“Over our dead bodies are we going to accept a cap and further restraints on salaries,” Wolfe said to The Athletic.
Wolfe, who is also the agent of Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki, is one of many representing players to speak out regarding the league’s handling of the looming lockout.
The current CBA expires on Dec. 1 and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is guiding the negotiating process between the league and the Players Association.
With MLB’s general managers meetings beginning Tuesday in Las Vegas, discussions are sure to remain heated with the clock ticking. Based on Wolfe’s comments, players appear firm in their stance to keep MLB without a salary cap.
If that remains true, the lockout feels like a near guarantee with no real end in sight.
The next few weeks will be pivotal as both sides continue negotiations.
