The Los Angeles Dodgers convened a press conference on Thursday to present Shohei Ohtani, who has refrained from responding to reporters’ inquiries for over four months.
On Monday, the organization announced that the two-time AL MVP had agreed to a record $700 million, 10-year contract. The pact stipulates that 97% of the money will be deferred without interest and will not be fully paid until 2043. The announcement came last weekend.
During a press conference held in the Centerfield Plaza of Dodger Stadium, Ohtani was unveiled.
After six years with the Los Angeles Angels, the 29-year-old free agent—a rare two-way superstar in both hitting and pitching—left for greener pastures.
Two weeks prior to his pitching ιnjury, which required surgery and would keep him out of the mound until 2025, he last spoke with reporters on August 9. On September 19, he underwent surgery, the specifics of which were kept under wraps. On October 1, 2018, Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery.
As a result of Ohtani’s relocation from Anaheim to Hollywood, Dodgers fans on both sides of the Atlantic are in a frenzy to purchаse gear and ask about secondary market tickets. Sales of individual games tickets for the upcoming season have not yet been announced.
An innovative structure that allows the franchise more payroll flexibility in upcoming seasons will result in Ohtani receiving just $20 million of his contract over the next 10 years, with $680 million pаyаble from 2034-43.
The Associated Press was able to obtain specifics of Ohtani’s contract, which state that his annual salary is $70 million. From 2034 to 2043, there will be equal amounts of $68 million postponed with no interest, pаyаble every July 1. A full no-trade clause, a premium luxury suite for home games, a full-time interpreter, and hotel suites for road trips are all part of the contract.
Ohtani is heading into his 30th birthday on July 5. He has a.274 average, 171 home runs, 437 RBIs, and 86 stolen bases. In his professional baseball career, he has a 39-19 record, a 3.01 ERA, 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings, and a winning percentage. In terms of WаR, Ohtani has 34.7, according to Baseball Reference.