Shohei Ohtani's Insane Contract Details With The Dodgers Revealed
The Los Angeles Angels' freeway rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers, won the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes. On Saturday, it was reported that Ohtani would sign a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Boys in Blue. It is a record-setting deal, making Ohtani the highest-paid athlete in professional sports in North America.
However, how he will get the money will be different, like a lot different. MLB insider for ESPN Jeff Passan reported that Ohtani will only be paid $2 million a year for the next 10 years, with the rest of the money deferred until the end of the deal.
As a result, Ohtani will be paid $20 million throughout the 10 years, meaning he will get the rest of the $680 million between 2034-2043.
This is unprecedented for a talent like Ohtani, considering what he can do and his value.
This is a move he decided to make so that the Dodgers can build the best team possible while he is a member of the club. There's no sugarcoating this; this is a gut punch to the Angels organization and owner Arte Moreno.
It was never about the money, although the money is great, but he wanted to be a Dodger. He is taking a financial hit in his playing career so that he can lift the commissioner's trophy at the end of it.
There are still many questions regarding his pitching availability going forward, and he is coming off a Tommy John surgery, so there is a chance he will not be the same pitcher once he returns to the mound in 2025. Nonetheless, Ohtani, as a hitter alone, is arguably the best we could ever see in the game.
The Dodgers have a good one in their hands, and Moreno and the front office should be ashamed of how they handled Ohtani over the years.
