Former Angels Star Shohei Ohtani Has Opt Out Clause in Dodgers Contract
Former Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is now a Los Angeles Dodger. The Dodgers signed Ohtani to a record-breaking 10- year, $700 million contract, however, the deal is not as simple as it looks.
The deal has heavy deferrals, and it even includes an opt-out clause. According to details filed by the MLB Players Association, the deal states, "if specific change [occurs] in Dodger personnel, [Ohtani] may opt out of contract at end of season the change occurs."
If L.A.'s president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, or owner/chairman Mark Walter leaves the team for whatever reason, then Ohtani can opt-out.
Since the Guggenheim Baseball Management took over the Dodgers in 2012, they have become the model franchise. The team has made the postseason every single season under that management, and there's no reason to think that dominance should stop, especially with Ohtani on their side now.
According to LA Times writer Jack Harris, Ohtani was given full no-trade protection by the team, which is the first time the Dodgers have included such protection in a player contract since Friedman took over as president — and rightfully so.
Ohtani is truly one of one. We will never see a player like him for the rest of our lives, and he deserves a contract with whatever incentives or deferrals that come along with it.
Unfortunately, this crazy contract didn't come with the Angels, but it's hard to believe Arte Moreno would've shelled out this type of money and this type of contract to land Ohtani.
