Shohei Ohtani signs HISTORIC $700 million contract with LA Dodgers in dramatic turnover after week-long secrecy, becomes highest-paid MLB player in history

Shohei Ohtani shook the MLB world with his enormous $700 contract with the LA Dodgers after taking dramatic U-turn from Blue Jays pursuit rumors.

Shohei Ohtani signs HISTORIC $700 million contract with LA Dodgers in dramatic turnover after week-long secrecy, becomes highest-paid MLB player in history

Shohei Ohtani [Image Credit: Imago]

Shohei Ohtani’s free agency finally ended with the two-way MLB star signing a whopping 10-year $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He’ll now be waving official goodbye to his previous team the LA Angels with whom he spent the last six seasons. Within seconds of the statement release, he became the highest-paid player in MLB history.

Since he hit free agency, he became one of the most sought-after players. With his record-breaking $700 million contract he surpassed his former teammate Mike Trout, who inked a 12-year $426.5 million contract with Angels. Ohtani’s annual average salary is expected to hit $70 million, the highest in North American sports.

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His contract not only topped Trout but also Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander’s $43.3 million annual average salary. Shohei Ohtani’s announcement finally wraps up the whirlwind of free agency and chase, with the most upsetting team being the Blue Jays.

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Many fans thought he’d sign with the Jays, but no comment from his side or his agent was made known to the public. In his Instagram post, he stated that he’ll “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…Thank you very much.
Shohei Ohtani on Instagram.

When will Shohei Ohtani don the LA Dodgers azure outfit?

Despite signing the multi-million dollar contract, Shohei Ohtani will only serve as a designated hitter in 2024, but won’t be taking the mound until 2025. This is mostly due to his previous elbow injury that shut him out in August.

Shohei Ohtani [Image Credit: Imago]
Shohei Ohtani [Image Credit: Imago]

During that time he earned a record of 23 starts and 132 innings. Later he was diagnosed with a torn UCL and underwent surgery in September. This was the second major surgery within his six-season career. He missed 2019, after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2018. He bounced back after a COVID-plagued season and won several accolades, astonishing the MLB world yet again.

Unfortunately, even after shining throughout the rest of the seasons, Ohtani couldn’t reach the playoffs. The LA Angels missed the cut all throughout his contracted season. Now, with a new contract, and team ready, he’ll be chasing after his dreams once again donning the deep azure jersey.

Fans are extremely excited to see him in the Dodgers star-studded lineup with Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, and Will Smith. The Dodgers championship dream is once again fueled with the addition of the MLB star. They are expected to open the season against the San Diego Padres in March 2024.

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