Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani announced Saturday that he has signed a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This breaks the previous MLB record contract of $426.5 million that Mike Trout received from the Angels in 2019.
Ohtani decided to stay in Southern California after being courted by several teams, including most aggressively by the Toronto Blue Jays. But the Japanese two-way player ultimately chose to make the 30 mile move up Interstate 5 to the Dodgers.
In a statement, Ohtani thanked the Angels organization and told Dodgers fans he will always strive to be his best and do what’s best for the team.
Even with the record payday, Ohtani’s contract is structured to help the Dodgers stay competitive. It contains significant deferred money to lessen the team’s luxury tax payroll hit.
Since arriving from Japan’s Nippon League in 2017, the 29-year-old Ohtani has wowed MLB with his pitching and hitting. He is a 2-time AL MVP and this year’s World Baseball Classic MVP.
Though he won’t pitch in 2024 after recent elbow surgery, Ohtani’s bat will be fully ready. He said a future press conference will allow him to discuss his decision and expectations. For now, Dodger fans are celebrating the new superstar in town.
