Shohei Ohtani Received Most Expensive Contract in Sports History From Dodgers
The ongoing saga surrounding Shohei Ohtani's free agency has officially come to a close.
As announced on his personal Instagram page, All-Star Shohei Ohtani has decided to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers over strong interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, LA Angels, and the Chicago Cubs.
Reported by Jeff Passan, the 10-year deal will pay Ohtani a whopping $700 million. Yes... Ohtani will be receiving $70 million annually to stay in Southern California and represent one of the most prestigious franchises in the sport.
This is a massive development for not only the Dodgers but also for baseball as a whole. Ohtani is staying one of the biggest markets in the country -- and one with a sizable Japanese population. The Dodgers are a global brand, particularly in Ohtani's native Japan. With the rich tradition of other Japanese players starring for the Dodgers (Hideo Nomo, Kaz Ishii, Yu Darvish, Kenta Maeda, Takashi Saito), landing Ohtani seemed fitting.
Without a doubt, the marketing opportunities for all parties involved should be plentiful. The growth of the sport has steadily ticked up over the decades. Japan most specifically is a country with a deep love for the sport. When pairing the country's most prolific athlete with one of baseball's most historic franchises, it's a win-win.
Andrew Friedman and the front office had long been waiting for this moment. With an eye toward the Ohtani sweepstakes, the Dodgers had been reticent in taking on long commitments from a financial standpoint. LA had been shedding salary with the hopes of putting together a lucrative enough package.
In the end, credit the Dodgers ownership group for pushing this across the finish line.
The Dodgers likely will continue to be aggressive when it comes to improving their ballclub. The next order of business likely sits in the realm of starting pitching.
At the same time, the thought of Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts in the same lineup is mind-boggling.
It still might be for fans of other ballclubs.
But for those who bleed Dodger blue, it's now become a reality.
