Japanese superstar baseball Shohei Ohtanitwo-time MVP of the Big leaguesannounced this Saturday his signing for Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a record contract of about 700 million dollars in the next 10 years.
“I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team”Ohtani, 29, said in a message on his Facebook account. instagram with which he ends weeks of speculation about his future.
The Japanese, a player with a unique talent for hitting and throwing, thus abandons Los Angeles Angelsthe franchise for which he had played since landing in the Major Leagues in 2018.
The popular Dodgers, whose last title was in 2020, managed to seduce the most coveted free agent of recent seasons with an offer that, according to Ohtani’s agent, will reach $700 million over 10 years.
Is a “unique historical contract, for a unique historical player”Agent Nez Balelo said in a statement. “Shohei is thrilled to be a part of the Dodgers organization.”
His average annual salary, $70 million, is more than double what he received from the Angels and 62% higher than the highest annual salaries in the league, the $43.3 million received by pitchers Max Scherzer (Rangers). and Justin Verlander (Astros).
In total amount, the largest contract in the Major Leagues until now was the one that the Angels signed in 2019 precisely to Mike Trout for $426 million for 12 years.
In the NBA, the highest annual salary this campaign is received by point guard Stephen Curry (Warriors), with 51.9 million dollars, and in the NFL by quarterback Joe Burrow (Bengals), with 55 million.
In recent weeks, Ohtani’s future has been associated with numerous teams such as the Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers, current champions. Finally, the Japanese chose to remain in Los Angeles and share a locker room with other Dodgers stars such as Mookie Betts.
“To all the fans and everyone involved in the world of baseball, I apologize for taking so long to make a decision,” Ohtani wrote.
“I am committed to always doing the best for the team and to continue giving everything to be the best version of myself,” he said. “Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive not only for the Dodgers, but for the world of baseball.”
Ohtani has been one of the great sensations of North American baseball since he landed in the league in 2018, with his almost unprecedented combination of elite pitching and hitting skills that earned him comparisons with the legendary Babe Ruth.
The Japanese is the only player to win two MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards unanimously, in 2021 and this past season in the American League.
Source: Ambito
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