Baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani has inked a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Japanese has set a new record for the largest contract in baseball history.
Shohei Ohtani, a two-way star, concluded his six-season stint with the Los Angeles Angels amid intense speculation about his next move.
The news comes as a shock to many Toronto Blue Jays fans. Amid the rumors, Toronto stood out with people even checking out Flight radars for the update.
Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo of CAA Sports, said in a statement, “This is a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player. He is excited to begin this partnership, and he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success.”
This surpasses the previous record held by Angels outfielder Mike Trout’s $426.5 million, 12-year contract.
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Ohtani’s average annual salary of $70 million is a remarkable 62% higher than the previous high. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander each secured a share of $43,333,333 through their respective deals upon signing with the New York Mets as pitchers.
The deal includes unprecedented deferred money, strategically structured to reduce its impact on the Dodgers’ luxury tax payroll.
This historic agreement is not only the largest in baseball but potentially one of the largest in sports history, rivaling contracts of soccer stars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
Ohtani, who was a unanimous AL MVP in 2021 and 2024, has redefined modern baseball with his exceptional performances both as a hitter and a pitcher.
In a statement on Instagram, Ohtani expressed gratitude to the Angels organization and fans, promising Dodgers fans his utmost dedication. The decision marks six years since Ohtani’s initial deal with the Angels, during which he became a global sports icon.
Official post from Ohtani’s Instagram. pic.twitter.com/GVlL75bHXG
— Baseball Is Dead (@baseballisdead_) December 9, 2024
Despite his individual brilliance, Ohtani has yet to experience playoff success. Furthermore, Ohtani hasn’t yet played for a winning team in the majors.
In addition to the Benjamin’s scored, The deal also underscores Ohtani’s marketability. It’s expected to boost the Dodgers’ revenue and global appeal.
