Shohei Ohtani to Dodgers for 10 years, $700 million
December 9th, 2023 at 3:17 PM ^
Clearly I’m in the wrong profession
December 9th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
All you have to be is the best two-way player in 100 years.
Isn't this guaranteed in MLB?
December 9th, 2023 at 3:41 PM ^
Unless there are player or team opt-outs.
December 9th, 2023 at 8:21 PM ^
All you have to be is the best two-way player in 100 years.
No. No major league player has ever done what Ohtani has done. Babe Ruth was a great pitcher then transitioned to playing outfield full time. The Yankees did not let Ruth pitch, though he would occasionally ask. No major leaguer has ever been as good at pitching and hitting at the same time as Ohtani. The man is truly a unicorn.
December 9th, 2023 at 6:30 PM ^
Me too. However, I would coach the Pistons for $1M/yr and if you throw in another $1m/yr, I would be a player/coach.
BIG SAVINGS!!!!
SAME RESULTS!!!!
December 9th, 2023 at 3:17 PM ^
Holy Fuck
December 9th, 2023 at 3:37 PM ^
I love Ohtani, good for him.
This is also the Dodgers throwing a lot of money for somebody who turns 30! this season. In all likelihood based off historical data, maybe 3-4 years left of elite level play.
Now, he is a generational talent. But seriously wtf?
December 9th, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^
And a second Tommy John surgery (not many cases of that working well for pitchers).
December 9th, 2023 at 5:25 PM ^
A lot of money for a DH…
December 9th, 2023 at 4:04 PM ^
A Cabrera level waste of money in the out years, times ten
December 10th, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
Those last 3-4 years at $70 million each are going to really, really hurt.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:17 PM ^
I can't even comprehend that. Has there been a bigger contract in any sport any where?
December 9th, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^
I thought maybe soccer, as I remember that Messi's biggest contract during his heyday at Barcelona was about that much, but according to ESPN, that contract was only for $674 million.
So yeah, I think this might be the biggest.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^
Saudi soccer league is paying some guys like Benzema and Ronaldo between 100 and 200 million. Dollars.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:42 PM ^
I've heard that too, but those guys are pretty old so I don't think that the total amount of their full contracts exceed the $700 million.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:47 PM ^
True. The per year is more but not the total contract. I guess that was also the case for Messi. I didn't see the number of years for that one.
December 9th, 2023 at 5:30 PM ^
They are getting paid to make Saudi look good, not to play soccer. They are aging superstars playing in a garbage league that got drawn in for a publicity stunt. This is a contract to play in the most competitive baseball league in the world.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:02 PM ^
"only" doing a bit of work there
December 9th, 2023 at 3:36 PM ^
Per year, yes, but not total value.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:37 PM ^
Michael Jordan’s contract with Nike pays approx. $400M per year.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:41 PM ^
The Saudi league reportedly offered Mbabbe $776 million for one year and he turned it down.
December 9th, 2023 at 4:02 PM ^
Damn that's like 70mm/person in attendance.
December 9th, 2023 at 5:33 PM ^
3/4 of a billion to play for murderous bosses in an oil soaked stadium, built by slave labor. Good for him for turning it down. Shame on C Ronaldo and Benzema for taking their blood money.
December 10th, 2023 at 9:57 PM ^
Jordan Henderson worse than all of the guys you mentioned combined.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:57 PM ^
It’s the equivalent of getting two players. How much does a pitcher cost at his level and how much does a batter cost of his level? Then add them together. you can’t can’t compare him to any other players, because there are no other players that pitch at his level and bat at his level.
December 10th, 2023 at 2:21 AM ^
Aaron Judge’s contract is $360/10 years. Ohtani’s deal is rather close to 2x that.
Take out the two major injuries/surgeries and it would be an easy call. On a ten year deal, you expect 7 years to be worth the money from a in-game production standpoint; the last few always see a big drop off, but the marquee name still sells tickets and merchandise.
The problem with this deal is you might only get 4-5 years - or less - of production if the injury bug comes again or the surgery doesn’t bring the arm back.
December 10th, 2023 at 11:17 AM ^
The guy who lives three doors down from me, who leaves his Christmas lights up year round and gives me weekly roundups on his five fantasy teams, is crushed--he was certain Ohtani was going to Michigan State.
December 9th, 2023 at 4:58 PM ^
Jon Rahm just signed with LIV 3 year/$300M base. Could reach 600+
To hit golf balls.
December 9th, 2023 at 5:26 PM ^
Yeah but, there’s a lot of walking, too.
December 9th, 2023 at 7:54 PM ^
Golf leagues can’t survive if the saudis can cross subsidize their new league with billions in monopoly oil money where LIV can lose billions and the US Tour has to make a profit.
When the Chinese government years ago used government funds to underwrite industries so that their companies could sell products in the US at a loss, that was illegal. Congress acted. Otherwise if left to continue, they would have destroyed companies that have to operate at a profit and then the Chinese companies would be the only ones left standing. I don’t see why congress doesn’t do the same thing to LIV golf? It’s no different.
December 9th, 2023 at 7:57 PM ^
Spare me and everyone else the fucking politics. JFC.
I was simply responding to the kind gentleman's question.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:26 PM ^
You are confusing politics with economics and fair competition. And since when does dealing with dictatorships overseas have anything to do with politics. Surely, all Americans would be anti-dictatorship.
December 9th, 2023 at 9:47 PM ^
Psssshhhh my golf score is higher than his. Lost balls too.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:19 PM ^
70 million a year for 10 years. Damn. Yeah, the Dodgers clearly blew all other offers out of the water there. The risk is that much bigger though. I do hope the Yankees can sign Soto so whatever.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
A chunk is deferred. Not sure how much exactly.
But no opt outs. Considering the long-term merchandise sales, it's probably a good deal for both sides.
December 9th, 2023 at 4:04 PM ^
Allegedly the majority of his salary will be deferred, so it'll be a Bobby Bonilla situation. I'm guessing it's valued at more like a $500M deal, with the extra $200M to account for the present value when he actually receives the money. Somehow the Dodgers got a "team-friendly" $700M deal.
December 9th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
This article says "the majority" of it will be deferred. It'd probably be more lucrative to him to get the whole thing over the next 10 years, but this would keep the Dodgers' payroll somewhat less insane.
December 9th, 2023 at 5:47 PM ^
He may end up like Bobby Bonilla, collecting on it for many years.
December 9th, 2023 at 7:33 PM ^
This Yankee fan always celebrates Bobby Bonilla Day. lol...New York Mutts.
December 9th, 2023 at 10:26 PM ^
Actually almost every number cruncher says that the Mets’ long-term deal with Bonilla was a win for the Mets and a loss for Bonilla. That’s why Cohen has embraced the day.
December 10th, 2023 at 5:33 PM ^
Ah, the number crunchers liked it. Who cares about actually winning games or championships? That's why the Mets are New York's little brother.
December 9th, 2023 at 4:38 PM ^
Well, if his arm goes bad again, or if he can't bring the heat he did before the surgery, you're paying that to a DH. You don't want that
December 9th, 2023 at 4:59 PM ^
Is there any chance he plays in the field? If he's full time not a pitcher, it seems like he could probably turn himself into an average fielder at some kinda position?
I assume people with worst bats than his have played 1st, for example
December 9th, 2023 at 5:23 PM ^
He did play over 100 games in the outfield in Japan and around 15 with the Angels., and he averaged 19 steals a season over the past three seasons, so he clearly has the speed to play in the field.
December 10th, 2023 at 11:41 AM ^
1B long term but he would fit in RF for a few years.
December 10th, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
In other news cost of a "dog and a beer" at Dodger Stadium raised to $74.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:21 PM ^
Still good value. One of a kind player. All star pitcher and all star DH rolled into one roster spot.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:24 PM ^
Yeah. The Angels won so much with him.
December 9th, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^
Aside from Ohtani and Trout, the Angels didn't have enough stars.