MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani signs biggest contract in sports history with staggering $700m 10-year deal to LA Dodgers
TWO-WAY MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani has just signed the biggest deal in sports history.
Shohei, 29, inked a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers to resolve the biggest mystery of the 2023 offseason.
Ohtani's deal is the largest guarantee money a sports star has ever received, per MLB insider .
A huge portion of the Japanese star's salary is reportedly deferred.
"In deferring the money, it reduces the cost of the competitive-balance-tax hit and will allow the Dodgers to build a better team around him," Passan wrote on Saturday.
The three-time AL MVP's deal eclipses that of soccer icon Lionel Messi, who is believed to have inked a four-year, $673.9 million contract with FC Barcelona in 2017.
It tops Patrick Mahomes' 10-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs – worth up to $503 million – which the star NFL quarterback penned in 2020 before having it restructured this year.
Also, it's the largest in baseball history by more than $250 million, trumping ex-teammate Mike Trout's $426.5 million over 12 years he signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2019.
After the Angels failed to extend Ohtani's contract, the pitcher and designated hitter's free agency decision reportedly came down to the Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays.
The New York Mets showed interest in the baseball superstar but the talks "never got serious," per SNY reporter .
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The three-time All-Star announced his move to the Dodgers on Saturday.
"To all the fans and everyone involved in the baseball world, I apologize for taking so long to come to a decision. I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team," on Instagram.
"First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years, as well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process.
"Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys’ support and cheer meant the world to me.
"The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever.
"And to all Dodgers fans, I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to 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.
"There are some things that cannot be conveyed in writing, so I would like to talk more about this again at a later press conference."
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Ohtani recorded a .274/.366/.556 slashline in his MLB career in addition to a .922 OPS and 171 career home runs.
He also has a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481.2 innings over 86 starts as a pitcher.