By MUSA MA
Shohei Ohtani startled the baseball community announcing his plan to sign a record shattering contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers who won the National League West division title 10 times out of the last 11 seasons, and winning the World Series in 2020. This contract provides him with $700 million over 10 years. However, most of Ohtani’s contract will be deferred since he will be paid $2 million per year for the next 10 years, and the remaining $680 million after his 10-year deal is over. This decision was most likely to help the Dodgers financially, as the Dodgers would sign yet another Japanese superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto for a staggering $325 million deal over 12 years.
Ohtani’s impressive list of statistics earned him this lucrative contract. He won his second MVP award last year, was chosen for his third all-star game, led the Major Leagues with an exceptional slash line of .304/.412/.654 and knocked 44 home runs in the process. However, he is not expected to pitch until at least 2025 due to a season-ending shoulder surgery.
Regardless, this will certainly be an upgrade for the Dodgers in their batting lineup. While on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani had an exceptional year with a 3.14 ERA throughout 132 innings but all for a subpar team that finished the season with a disappointing 73-89 record. Ohtani will bolster the Dodgers’ rotation along with the help of Walker Buehler returning from an injury and the acquisition of Tyler Glasnow in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Jericho student athletes were surprised about the Ohtani signing. Junior and varsity baseball player Justin W. said, “It’s just crazy how much they are paying him just to play DH [designated hitter] for the next 2 years.”
Junior Justin W, a long time New York Mets fan and follower of Shohei Ohtani, is excited to see how the future of Ohtani’s career as a Dodger will pan out.
So far this season, Ohtani has put up a WAR (wins above replacement) of 3.1. Only his teammate former MVP Mookie Betts has a higher WAR of 3.7. Ohtani leads the majors in batting average and is tied for seventh for home runs. However, there has been controversy for the Japanese superstar. Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was accused of stealing over 16 million from Ohtani’s bank account for use on illegal betting. Mizuhara has been charged with bank fraud and submitting false tax returns.
So far Ohtani’s record-breaking contract seems to be paying off for the Dodgers who are currently 11 games above .500.