Shohei Ohtani, a free agent from the Los Angeles Angels, has decided to choose the Dodgers as his next destination. The contract is worth 10 years and 700 million dollars (101.4 billion yen, 1 dollar = 144 yen), the highest price in MLB history.
Ohtani announced the move on instagram.
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.
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.
Thank you very much
Why did Ohtani choose the Dodgers?
Various Major League Baseball teams were in negotiations to acquire Otani, who had become a free agent, but in the end, Otani himself chose the Dodgers.
Why did Ohtani choose the "Dodgers"?
He played for the Angels for six years starting in 2018, but never made the playoffs in that time. His desire to win as a team, not his individual performance, may have been the reason for this move to the Dodgers.
The Dodgers have advanced to the postseason every year since 2013 and were in first place in the West Division in 2023. Being a part of one of the most competitive teams in Major League Baseball, it is not impossible to win the World Series with a good chance of making the playoffs.
It is believed that Ohtani's desire to win has led to his decision to join a contending team.
A press conference is scheduled to be held to discuss the deal. It will be interesting to see what Ohtani will have to say about his reasons for the move.
Did he have a connection with the Dodgers in the past?
Ohtani spoke with Adrian Gonzalez of the Dodgers during the 2016 WBC training game. Eventually, Otani joined the Angels, but we are curious about this conversation.
Highest contract value in professional sports history
The contract amount of $700 million is the highest in the history of professional sports. (Calculated in total)
In Major League Baseball, this is the highest contract in MLB history, surpassing Mike Trout's 12-year, $426.5 million contract.
It also surpassed the 555 million euros signed by Lionel Messi of Argentina's national soccer team with Barcelona, which had previously been the highest in world sports history.