Shohei Ohtani signs contract with Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani signs contract with Los Angeles Dodgers:

The long-awaited decision from baseball’s most coveted free agent has been made. Shohei Ohtani, the exceptional two-way player and two-time unanimous American League MVP Award recipient, has chosen to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ending weeks of intense speculation, rumors, and baseless reports, Ohtani took to his Instagram account this Saturday afternoon to personally announce his signing.

As reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the contract spans over a monumental 10 years, totaling a staggering $700 million dollars. This agreement stands as the most substantial deal in the history of North American sports.

Opting for the Dodgers, Ohtani made his decision over several other prominent teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and even his former team, the LA Angels.

Ohtani’s agent at CAA Sports, Nez Balelo released a statement following the announcement:

“Shohei is thrilled to be a part of the Dodgers organization. He is excited to begin this partnership, and he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success. Shohei and I want to thank all the organizations that reached out to us for their interest and respect, especially the wonderful people we got to know even better as this process unfolded. We know fans, media, and the entire industry had a high degree of interest in this process, and we want to express our appreciation for their passion and their consideration as it played out.”

The highly anticipated free agency of the Japanese dual-threat in pitching and hitting found its perfect match in signing the most lucrative deal in MLB history.

Throughout the 2023 season, the 29-year-old showcased his prowess, maintaining a notable 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts and 55 walks across 132 innings pitched. His batting skills were equally impressive, boasting a .304 average alongside 44 home runs and 20 stolen bases. For a significant portion of the year, Ohtani stood as the league’s statistical leader both on the mound and at the plate.

Unfortunately, his season took a downturn as he faced injury setbacks toward its conclusion. A recurring torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow led to his shutdown as a pitcher, marking the second occurrence in his career. Following the regular season, Ohtani underwent a second Tommy John procedure in Los Angeles, aiming to address the injury.

During his six-year tenure with the Angels, Ohtani never experienced postseason play. Throughout the 2023 season, amidst discussions about his impending free agency, Ohtani consistently emphasized the significance of winning above all else. His new team is poised to offer him that chance.

Joining the Dodgers presents a stark contrast in postseason potential. The team boasts an impressive record, making the playoffs for 11 consecutive seasons and clinching the National League West title in 10 of those 11 years. With an impressive streak of five 100-win seasons in the past six full campaigns, they solidified their status as World Series champions in 2020. This track record positions the Dodgers as a prime environment for Ohtani to pursue his aspirations of achieving postseason success.

Ohtani’s pitching return isn’t anticipated until the 2025 season, but according to Dr. Neal ElAttrache, he’ll be ready to take on full-time hitting duties in 2024.

Often likened to the modern-day Babe Ruth, Ohtani’s shift to the Dodgers presents an opportunity to eclipse the Great Bambino and secure multiple World Series victories. Over the next decade with the team, if he manages to achieve this feat, he could redefine history as the ultimate baseball legend, solidifying his claim as the greatest player of all time.