NEW YORK.- Shohei Ohtani agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers for 700 million dollars and 10 years.
The deal was announced after days of speculation about the star hitter and pitcher who spent his first six years in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels.
“This is a historic and unparalleled contract for a player,” Ohtani’s agent said in a statement. Nez Balelo, from CAA Sports. “He is excited to begin his collaboration and structured his contract to reflect the true commitment of both parties to long-term success.”
The agreement is 64% more expensive than the previous record of 426.5 million that the outfielder signed Mike Trout with the Angelina and which started in 2019.
His annual average of 70 million is 62% more than the previous record of 43,333,333 shared by pitchers Max Scherzer y Justin Verlander, who signed with the New York Mets. His new salary is almost double what he had with the Angelina.
Ohtani, the new face of baseball:
Ohtani has redefined modern baseball since he chose the Angelina as his first team Big leagues. No one has come close to his achievements in the modern era at the plate and mound to become one of the best players as a hitter and pitcher when healthy. Along the way he became one of the most marketable athletes in the world. and that improves ticket sales, television ratings and sponsorship earnings.
was elected MVP unanimous of the American League in 2021 and 2023 – he was second in 2022 – winning this year despite injuring his elbow at the end of August and his oblique muscle in September.
Before his 30th birthday on July 5, he had a .274 average, with 171 home runs437 RBIs and 86 stolen bases, as well as 39-19 and 3.01 ERAwith 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings.
Source: AP
