In baseball, where contracts have seen gigantic figures in recent years, Shohei Ohtani’s recent signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for an astonishing $700 million over ten years. Ohtani has left fans and pundits alike in shock and speculation.
Shohei Ohtani, the baseball sensation, has sent tremors through the sports world by revealing his intention to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After six seasons with the Angels, Ohtani‘s radical contract with the Dodgers is a staggering $700 million over ten years. It marks one of MLB’s most expensive bidding wars and the deal could become the richest in league history.
Amidst speculation that Ohtani might join the Toronto Blue Jays, the baseball star chose to stay in Southern California, just 30 miles away from his previous team. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Shohei Ohtani‘s meeting with the team, but they have yet to disclose the details and are waiting for the Ohtani news announcement.
Initially anticipated to secure one of the most profitable deals in baseball history, whispers suggested a $500 million contract, a figure that raised eyebrows among rightists. As a designated hitter (DH), Ohtani’s worth was already a subject of debate, especially considering the highest-paid player at the time, his Angel teammate Mike Trout, was also a stellar defender in centre field.
While Ohtani is a remarkable player with two unanimous MVP awards to his credit, whether an assigned hitter is worth $700 million lingers. Unlike Trout, Ohtani does not field a position. With a recent elbow surgery marginalising his pitching for at least a year, concerns about his future dominance arise, given it’s his second major elbow surgery.
Rumours soared, with talk of a $600 million contract circulating, prompting some to ponder if the Saudis had acquired an MLB team humorously. The shocking news of the Dodgers winning the Ohtani bingo at $700 million further fueled the debate.
Critics point to the fact that Ohtani won’t be on the heap in 2024 due to recovery from elbow surgery, and even when he returns, his pitching skill may face uncertainty. Unlike the standard five-day pitching rotation in the majors, Shohei Ohtani pitches every sixth day, requiring a reevaluation of the Dodgers’ starting rotation.
The Dodgers, already inclining lefty-heavy in their everyday agenda, are banking heavily on Ohtani’s immense marketing value. Yet, the massive Shohei Ohtani contract could impede their pursuit of additional talent, significantly securing a free-agent starting pitcher like two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.
Examining the $700 million Deal from different angles, it surpasses the combined contracts of LA’s current stars, Mookie Betts ($365 million) and Freddie Freeman ($162 million). The annual payout alone exceeds the total payroll of four major league franchises, including Cincinnati, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Oakland. Furthermore, it stands as the largest contract in the history of any sport, exceeding soccer’s Lionel Messi, who previously held the record with a $674 million deal with Barcelona.
As the Angels, who entertained vague hopes of retaining the two-way star, must now regroup and consider choices, the baseball world watches with bated breath to see if Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million Deal will be a game-changer or a risky gamble for the Dodgers.
