Shohei Ohtani has agreed to a record breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Japanese two-way sensation is a favorite for his second American League Most Valuable Player award in 2023 and could make his return to the mound next season after suffering an elbow injury that required surgery at the beginning of August this year.
since debuting with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, the 26-year-old has made a name for himself as one of the most talented and exciting players in Major League Baseball. During this time he has shown off his incredible talent as both a pitcher and hitter, playing impressive roles in both departments on the field. He currently holds career numbers that boast of a .288 batting average with 65 home runs and 196 RBIs, along with an impressive 3.45 ERA over two seasons on the mound. These numbers reflect his hard work ethic and dedication to becoming one of baseball’s brightest stars.
Prepare to witness the magnificent Shohei Ohtani unleash his mind-blowing pitching prowess upon the mound once again!
Shohei Ohtani has been dealing with a tough injury that has prevented him from pitching again since August of 2020. It was determined that he had suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament, and may need to undergo Tommy John surgery in order to return to the mound. In the meantime, he is not expected “back on the mound until 2025.”
In spite of this setback, Ohtani has still been an impressive pitcher over the past three seasons. Across his 74 starts, he boasts a 34-16 record with a 2.74 ERA and 542 strikeouts – showing that he remains one of the most talented pitchers in Major League Baseball despite his recent injury. All eyes will now be focused on when he can return to action in 2025 and pick up where he left off as one of MLB’s elite arms.
Here is the projected lineup for the Dodgers in 2024, featuring Shohei Ohtani.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance to have one of the most formidable lineups in baseball for the 2024 season. At the top, it’s likely that Mookie Betts will still be patrolling second base to set the tone. After making his return to MLB this past December, Shohei Ohtani will more than likely slide into the designated hitter role, providing a phenomenal right-handed bat and occasionally taking advantage of his two-way ability on the mound. A powerful veteran at first base awaits in Freddie Freeman with a reliable clutch bat and strong defense. Will Smith is expected to remain behind the dish, utilizing his impressive range as an elite catcher while also bringing some very strong offensive numbers to the table. At third base is Max Muncy and his incredible walk rate while James Outman offers a great presence in center field with his exceptional speed. This lineup has already proven itself as one of baseball’s best, and it looks like they’ll continue that trend for years ahead.
Ohtani opens up even more possibilities for this already dangerous lineup, as he can move all around different parts of this batting order depending on who else shows up or there is an injury elsewhere. Finding other bats in free agency could be the Dodgers’ only concern, while they already have one of the best starting rotations in the game. A monumental signing that could take this team to the next level has occurred and it’s only a matter of time before we see exactly how this all plays out.
Projected 2024 Dodgers lineup with Shohei Ohtani
Mookie Betts, 2B
Shohei Ohtani, DH
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Will Smith, C
Max Muncy, 3B
James Outman, CF
Chris Taylor, LF
Jason Heyward, RF
Gavin Lux, SS
MLB’s largest contracts ever in terms of total value.
The Major League Baseball scene has seen its fair share of big money contracts, with some players earning upwards of hundreds of millions to stay will their teams for years on end. The biggest contracts in MLB history by total value are no different. Shohei Ohtani, the star pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, locked in a 10 year, eye-popping $700 million contract extension – one of the largest deals ever seen in baseball.
Hot on Ohtani’s heels is Mike Trout, who recently agreed to a 12 year, $426.5 million deal with the Angels. After that comes Mookie Betts and Aaron Judge – both signed extensions at their respective teams worth nine years and $365 and $360 million respectively. Manny Machado also made it onto this exclusive list when he accepted an 11 year agreement with the Padres for $350 million and Francisco Lindor rounded out the top five with a 10 year commitment at the Mets worth an estimated $341 million. These massive deals exemplify just how much potential talent can be rewarded financially in today’s game – as long you make it to the Major Leagues.
What other sources of income does Ohtani generate?
Shohei Ohtani is a one-of-a-kind player having made his mark in both Major League Baseball and the Nippon Professional Baseball League. His talent on the field is undeniable, but his worth to teams that he plays for goes so much further than statistics. While players typically bring revenue to their teams through ticket and merchandise sales, Ohtani also brings in impressive endorsement revenue. In 2023 he was reportedly signed to an endorsement deal worth $40 million, more than double any other athlete including Mike Trout.
Finding ways outside of gameplay to maximize profits has become essential for sports franchises. While it may be difficult to compare a traditional jersey sale or season tickets to endorsements from big brands, there’s no arguing that Ohtani is able to generate significant additional revenue for MLB teams around the country. In fact one MLB executive even commented that Ohtani’s value will “pay for itself within six or seven years” when looking at just advertising alone. There’s no doubt that a player like Ohtani not only adds headline value but also holistic value.
Ohtani’s contract is not only an impressive deal from a financial standpoint, but also a statement to the world of baseball. It serves as a signal that the Dodgers are serious about having one of the best teams in the league and are willing to go all-in to make sure their lineup stands out from the rest.
What is his potential as a two-way player in the long term?
When Ohtani underwent a second Tommy John surgery, it became clear that he would be unable to take the mound for the foreseeable future. In light of this, many have questioned what his fate would be as a two-way player. It is not unusual for pitchers to come back from this type of surgery and play strictly as designated hitters, with Bryce Harper being one prominent example. However, the value of Ohtani comes from his ability to contribute in both scenarios, which brought up concerns about his long-term future – particularly as signing him demands such a large financial commitment on the part of a team.
Ultimately, it appears that teams may still be willing to take that risk in order to bring on board Ohtani’s unique skillset. After all, having one athlete who can make an impact on both sides of the ball is extremely valuable in professional baseball. We will see if any team takes this gamble when free agency begins, and Ohtani’s future as a two-way player becomes uncertain once again.
Ohtani’s signing is a big win for the Dodgers, but it also marks a huge moment in his career. Despite being limited to batting and serving as a designated hitter due to his current injury, Ohtani has been able to establish himself as one of the most dynamic players in baseball. He has already made a name for himself in major league baseball with his two -way skillset and has only made it more clear that he is a valuable asset to any team that signs him. Although the future remains uncertain, his $700 million contract with the Dodgers is unquestionably a major milestone in his career that will prove to have lasting implications for baseball as a whole.
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