it is, biggest contract Ranked number one in total in team sports history and is considered a superstar in the Japanese baseball world. Shohei Otani.
The 29-year-old two-way player, known as both a power hitter and an excellent pitcher, announced that he has chosen to sign with the team. los angeles dodgers Saturday (December 9th). The subject of the transaction is 10 years and worth it 700 million USD According to Ohtani’s representative, in total.
However, Ohtani will not be able to pitch in 2024, serving only as a designated hitter after undergoing season-ending surgery for an elbow injury in September.
The deal keeps Ohtani in the Los Angeles area, where he spent the past six seasons in Anaheim with the Los Angeles Angels.Ohtani was drafted to the MLB during his time with the Angels. American League Best Player He was unanimously named MVP twice in 2021 and 2023, a feat no other player has achieved in the history of the award. However, the Angels failed to make the playoffs in those years.
In 2023, Ohtani also played for the Japan National Team that won the World Baseball Classic, recording the final out on the mound before being named the tournament’s MVP.Its popularity has spread throughout Japan, and even figure skating legends Yuzuru Hanyu Cited him as an inspiration.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, are one of MLB’s powerhouse teams, and three of the top four players in wins (Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman) will be playing next season in 2023. The Dodgers last won the World Series in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.