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.
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.
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.