Dodgers Sign Two-Way Superstar Shohei Ohtani to Record-Breaking Deal
Free agent two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani has signed a 10-year, $700 million deal to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. He broke the news on his Instagram on Saturday.
The Dodgers have officially won the greatest bidding war in MLB history, and are bringing aboard one of, if not, the greatest player in baseball history to join one of the game's most storied franchises.
The Dodgers have been in on Ohtani since he was first posted to the MLB back in 2017, but they lost out to the Los Angeles Angels since the National League didn't yet have the designated hitter position.
However, six years later, with the DH now in both leagues, the Dodgers had their chance to land their most coveted free agent — and they made it happen.
Ohtani joins a team with World Series aspirations, something he's never experienced before in the MLB.
Ohtani spent the last six years with the Los Angeles Angels, a team that hasn't made the postseason since 2014 and didn't have a winning record once with Ohtani in town.
However, things will be very different for Ohtani in 2024, as he joins a team that has made 11 straight postseasons and won the National League West in 10 of those years.
The Dodgers have been the class of the National League for the last decade-plus, but have just one World Series title to show for it.
Together, Ohtani and the Dodgers will look to reach their goals together, goals that include bringing multiple World Series titles to the city of Los Angeles.
How Does Shohei Ohtani Fit With the Dodgers?
Shohei Ohtani would fit in with just about any team considering he can do anything and everything on a baseball field.
Offensively, Ohtani will slot in as the everyday designated hitter, likely batting third in the lineup behind Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Those three will form arguably the greatest top of the lineup in MLB history, and will be together for a very long time.
Ohtani has quickly become one of the game's best hitters, as he hit .304 and led the American League with 44 home runs and an on-base percentage of .412. Ohtani also led the entire league in 2023 with a slugging percentage of .654 and an OPS of 1.066.
Hitting behind two of baseball's best hitters and the runners up for the National League MVP award will definitely work.
When Will Shohei Ohtani Pitch Again?
On the other side of things is Ohtani the pitcher. Ohtani tore his UCL in 2023, and will not pitch for the entire 2024 season after undergoing elbow surgery. However, the expectation is that he'll be back to pitching in 2025.
Ohtani has turned into one of the game's best pitchers, as he finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting in 2022 — but probably should have finished even higher. He had a 2.33 ERA while striking out 219 batters and sporting a K/9 of 11.9 that year.
Last year, Ohtani had a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts and a K/9 of 11.4, before being shut down with his torn UCL.
We don't exactly know what Ohtani will look like as a pitcher when he returns, but the expectation for now is that he'll pitch again in 2025 and be a starting pitcher.
Why is Shohei Ohtani Worth $700 Million?
Ohtani just signed the largest deal in MLB history, but for him, it makes perfect sense.
Not only is Ohtani an All-Star level talent as both a hitter and a pitcher, but he's also a worldwide brand that will attract tons of viewership and money to a franchise.
Last year, it was reported that Ohtani generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue for the Angels, and with a team like the Dodgers, that number should only grow.
Shohei Ohtani is truly the face of baseball, and now he'll be able to showcase his talents for one of the league's premier teams.
