Baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani has not only mesmerized fans with his on-field prowess but has now created waves off the field, securing a historic $700 million deal as he embarks on a 30-mile journey up Interstate 5 to join the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In a direct announcement on his Instagram, Ohtani expressed his gratitude to fans and the baseball community for their patience during his decision-making process. “To all the fans and everyone involved in the baseball world, I apologize for taking so long to come to a decision. I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team,” revealed the slugger in his post.
The monumental deal, valued at $700 million over a decade, was disclosed by ESPN reporter Jeff Passan, marking it as the largest guaranteed contract in the history of sports.
I’m going to explain why Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers will not equal $700 million in terms of MLB accounting or the present-day value of the deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2023
When money in a contract is deferred, the competitive-balance tax number — the luxury tax — is…
Passan highlighted that the agreement also incorporates strategic deferrals aimed at providing the Dodgers with the flexibility to construct a more competitive team around Ohtani.
Furthermore, sources close to the deal, speaking on the condition of anonymity, informed The Associated Press that the contract includes groundbreaking deferred money, effectively reducing the amount counted towards the Dodgers’ luxury tax payroll.
This unprecedented financial arrangement eclipses previous records, surpassing figures associated with soccer luminaries Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
Ohtani’s average salary of $70 million stands as a remarkable 62 percent increase over the prior high held jointly by pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander in their deals with the New York Mets.
Addressing his decision, Ohtani conveyed his appreciation to the Los Angeles Angels organization and the fans who supported him during his six-year tenure.
“I apologize for taking so long to come to a decision,” Ohtani said on his Instagram. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years, as well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process.”
-Shohei Ohtani
“And to all Dodgers fans, I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself,” he continued.
Approaching his 30th birthday on July 5, Ohtani boasts an impressive track record, including a .274 batting average, 171 home runs, 437 RBIs, and 86 stolen bases. On the pitching front, he holds a record of 39-19, a 3.01 ERA, and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings, amounting to a remarkable 34.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) according to Baseball Reference.
Ohtani’s transformative influence in modern baseball has been undeniable since his initial Major League stint with the Angels. His unparalleled achievements at both the plate and the mound have positioned him as one of the sport’s elite players.
Beyond his athletic prowess, Ohtani has emerged as one of the most marketable athletes globally, influencing ticket sales, TV ratings, and sponsorship revenue.
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