The world is buzzing over the Shohei Ohtani news that everyone was anticipating. The two-way superstar and two-time American League Most Valuable Player recipient finally announced his next team of choice on Saturday. Ohtani revealed that he will sign a massive long-term deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Shohei made the announcement on his personal Instagram account. He apologized to everyone for the long wait, expressed gratitude to the Los Angeles Angels organization, and got Dodger fans excited as well.
To all the fans and everyone involved in the baseball world, I apologize for taking so long to come to a decision. I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team.
First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years, as well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process. Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys’ support and cheer meant the world to me. The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever.
And to all Dodgers fans, I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself. Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world.
There are some things that cannot be conveyed in writing, so I would like to talk more about this again at a later press conference.
Thank you very much.
ESPN’s MLB Insider Jeff Passan reported the news on Saturday afternoon following Ohtani’s announcement on his Instagram.
“Shohei Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers is for 10 years and $700 million,” Passan said.
Shohei Ohtani's deal with the Dodgers is for 10 years and $700 million.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2023
Passan also made an interesting note on Ohtani’s contract. Per a request by Ohtani himself, “Shohei Ohtani’s contract has significant deferrals that include most of his salary.” By doing this, Passan writes, “it reduces the cost of the competitive-balance-tax hit and will allow the Dodgers to build a better team around him.”
Shohei Ohtani's contract has significant deferrals that include most of his salary — an idea, a source said, that was Ohtani's. In deferring the money, it reduces the cost of the competitive-balance-tax hit and will allow the Dodgers to build a better team around him.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2023
It’s an earth-shattering deal and a record-setting contract, as you might expect. Many were wondering if Shohei Ohtani would become the first player to earn half a billion dollars. Well, he’s just $50 million shy of three-quarters of a billion dollars now!
The sports world reacted to the news of Shohei Ohtani’s mega-deal.
Damn it, played the wrong sport, 10 yrs 700 mil!!!! Congrats Ohtani.. Gotta see him play once. #BaseballMoneyHitDifferent #MLB #Dodgers
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) December 9, 2023
Exactly. Baseball coming off of best regular season ever. Post season was terrific. New rules, more teams in playoffs genius.
Also – Ohtani is a Dodger! https://t.co/SZzTwFxrep
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) December 9, 2023
My goodness https://t.co/q2wIi3FxTH
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 9, 2023
Word from one of the Ohtani finalists: “We certainly were not at 699”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 9, 2023
To put in perspective how massive this $700 million contract is, remember Mark Walter and the Guggenheim group purchased the Dodgers and all the land around Dodger Stadium for $2 billion 11 years ago. Essentially Shohei’s deal is a third of what had been a record setting… https://t.co/CLAt3fWemi
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 9, 2023
Great day for baseball. Ohtani needed to be on a signature team that makes the playoffs every year. I’m happy for Dodgers fans. I don’t even have a pissy Red Sox joke to add because I think we got relegated.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) December 9, 2023
Bro like what! 🤣🤣🤣
Congrats to him! https://t.co/kIztMnhoUV
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) December 9, 2023
Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani?!? 😮
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) December 9, 2023
[Shohei Ohtani on Instagram, Jeff Passan]
