Shohei Ohtani Signs Historic 10-Year, $700 Million Contract with Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese baseball sensation, has made history by signing a 10-year contract worth $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This deal, finalized on December 11, 2023, is the largest contract in professional sports history.

Ohtani’s impressive career, marked by his dual role as a pitcher and hitter, has garnered significant attention. In the 2023 season, he won his second American League MVP award, leading the league with 44 home runs and recording 10 wins as a pitcher. His performance also included securing the MVP Award at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, where Japan defeated the United States in the final.

The contract with the Dodgers is structured such that $68 million per season will be deferred until after the deal’s conclusion, to be paid out from 2034 to 2043. This financial arrangement underscores the significant investment the Dodgers are making in Ohtani’s future with the team.

The decision by the Los Angeles Angels not to re-sign Ohtani was attributed to their existing large financial commitments, particularly to players like Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. Angels owner Arte Moreno cited these commitments as the reason for not matching the Dodgers’ offer.

In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani has continued to break records, becoming the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. His performance has been hailed as one of the greatest in baseball history).