Shohei Ohtani of the Angels of Los Angeles (LA) in the Major League Baseball (MLB) cheers after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning of the game against the New York Yankees in Anaheim, California on the 17th (local time).
Shohei Ohtani (29)’s mega FA (free agent) contract worth a total of $700 million (924 billion won) contains a strong will to win. Ohtani revealed on his Instagram account on the 9th (local time), “I chose the Dodgers as my next team.” 바카라사이트
Ohtani’s agent, Nez Valero, announced on the same day that the contract is worth a total of 700 million dollars for 10 years. Outfielder Mike Trout, a former Los Angeles Angels teammate, easily exceeds the 12-year, 426.5 million dollars (563 billion won) MLB contract signed in 2019.
Although his elbow ligament surgery was feared to reduce his ransom this season, Otani instantly exceeded 500 million dollars and 600 million dollars, reaching 700 million dollars. The annual average is 70 million dollars, easily surpassing 43.33 million dollars of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. The Associated Press reported that Otani’s annual salary exceeds that of the Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics.
Ohtani’s strong will to win the title is included in this contract. According to the U.S. ESPN, Ohtani’s contract does not include an opt-out, but relieves Dodgers of burden by using a dipper (a grace period for annual salary payment).
Japan’s Nikkan Sports said, “According to multiple U.S. media, Ohtani includes a grace period for salary payments,” adding, “If the Dodgers can reduce the team’s salary right away, it can avoid imposing a luxury tax.”
MLB operates a luxury tax. Those who earn more than a certain amount of annual salary will be fined and given disadvantages in the rookie draft. The 2023 luxury tax limit was 233 million dollars. If a team exceeds the luxury tax, it has to pay 20 percent of the amount it exceeds in the first year, 30 percent in the second year, and 50 percent in the third year. The burden is not small on the team. There are a total of seven teams that paid luxury taxes this season, including the Dodgers. The team had the sixth highest total annual salary.
However, Ohtani’s suspension of pay has given Dodgers a breathing room. “Dodgers is a team with a high gross salary. If Ohtani is recruited (normally), it will be difficult to make additional efforts,” Nikkan Sports said. “However, Ohtani chose to suspend pay, reducing the burden on his team’s annual salary. As Dodgers has more leeway in the luxury tax rules, it will be possible to supplement (the squad).”
MLB.COM called them “unprecedented deferrals.” It was Ohtani’s idea. Nikkan Sports said that Ohtani’s strong will to win the World Series among strong teams gave him flexibility in forming the team.
Having advanced to the big league in 2018, Ohtani stands out as the best player in the MLB. He is by far the best in the FA market this season. Ohtani pitched in 23 games as a pitcher this season and posted 10-5 losses with an ERA of 3.14. As a batter, he played in 135 games and posted a batting average of 0.304, 44 homers and 95 RBIs, or OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 1.066. He was out for the season due to injury in early September, but won the second MVP award in his career in the American League.
His every move drew attention. “If the details of the negotiation process are disclosed, the negotiation will be unfavorable,” said Nez Valero, Ohtani’s agent. In fact, he emphasized the principle of “secret negotiations.” Controversy arose when manager Dave Roberts said he met Otani at the winter meeting. Fans even predicted that Ohtani would head to the Toronto Blue Jays after tracing the route of his chartered flight.
“It took me too long to make a decision. I am sorry,” Ohtani said. “I would like to thank the Los Angeles Angels and their fans for their support over the past six years, and the staff of each team for participating in this negotiation process. I will do my best to show my best in the Dodgers,” Ohtani said. “I will work hard not only for the Dodgers but also for the baseball community until the end of my career.”
