who signed a $700 million (approximately KRW 924 billion) contract with the LA Dodgers
the largest contract in North American professional sports history
will receive only $20 million during the contract period. Some even call this ‘the greatest trick ever.’
On the 12th (hereinafter Korean time), ‘AP News’ and ‘The Athletic’ reported in detail about the postponement of Ohtani’s salary payment.
The Athletic’ reported, “Ohtani agreed to defer payment of $68 million of his annual salary of $70 million.
The deferred amount will be paid interest-free from 2034 to 2043.”
It is said that Ohtani first proposed this ‘dipper’ clause to the LA Dodgers
saying that he would receive an amount equivalent to 97% of the contract annual salary 10 years later.
This is to allow the Dodgers to ease the burden of competitive balance tax and continue to strengthen their power.
CAA, which is in charge of Ohtani’s agency, also stated, “Ohtani was considerate of the long-term success of the LA Dodgers by signing a contract that will go down in sports history.”
This gives us an idea of how great Ohtani’s desire to win the World Series (WS) is.
He never experienced fall baseball during his time with the Los Angeles Angels. 온라인카지노
‘The Athletic’ analyzed, “This structure adds flexibility to the Dodgers’ cash management.
Thanks to this, the Dodgers remain at the top of the competition to recruit Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and right-hander Tyler Glasnow.”
There is also an analysis that this was in consideration of Otani’s deep pockets and tax savings.
The Athletic’ reported, “Ohtani appears to be earning $50 million a year through advertising and various businesses,” and the Associated Press reported,
He makes a lot of money when he does not reside in California
where the highest tax rate is 13.3%. “Because you receive it, you can enjoy tax benefits.”
There is controversy. Some see Ohtani’s first proposal of the ‘dipper’ clause to prevent the Dodgers from exceeding the luxury tax standard as ‘consideration
but since the Dodgers are a team that already has financial power
lowering the team’s total annual salary in this way could disrupt the market.
The prevailing opinion is that it is an expedient and a trick.
Ohtani signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 and successfully advanced to the major leagues.
He settled into the big leagues smoothly, hitting 20 home runs in his debut season.
As with the Nippon Ham Fighters of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)
he also served as a pitcher and started 10 games, causing the ‘dual-dual syndrome’.
Ohtani suffered a brief setback due to an injury and faced skepticism and public opinion about his ability to double as a pitcher
but he made a brilliant comeback in the 2021 season.
As a batter, he emerged as the top star in the major leagues with 138 hits in 537 at-bats in 158 games
a batting average of 0.257, 46 home runs, 100 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.964. As a pitcher
he started 23 games and recorded 130⅓ innings, 9 wins, 2 losses, and an ERA of 3.18.
In 2022, as a batter, he left behind cartoonish records of 157 games, 586 at-bats, 160 hits, 0.273 batting average, 34 home runs, 95 RBI, 0.875 OPS, and 28 starts as a pitcher, 166 innings, 15 wins, 9 losses, and an ERA of 2.33.
He made history by achieving double-digit home runs and double-digit multipliers simultaneously in a single season 104 years after Babe Ruth.
Ohtani shone even brighter in 2023 when he becomes a free agent.
Last March, he participated in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and led Japan to their third win.
First, as a batter, he hit hard with a batting average of 0.435 (10 hits in 23 at-bats), 1 home run, 8 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.345.
As a pitcher, he pitched well with 3 games (2 starts), 9⅔ innings, 2 runs, 2 wins, no losses, 1 save, and an ERA of 1.86.
He recorded a save in the final against the United States
enjoyed the honor of becoming the best pitcher, and even won MVP of the tournament.
Ohtani also performed top-notch for his team in the 2023 season.
There was great concern about his stamina as he quickly picked up the pace by participating in the WBC
but it was not a problem for Ohtani. Not only did he become the first player in major league history to record double-digit home runs and double-digit wins for two consecutive seasons
something even Babe Ruth could not do, but he also became the first player in the big leagues to record 10 wins and 40 home runs in a single season.
Following his MVP award in the 2021 season, Ohtani enjoyed the honor of being named unanimous MVP for the second time in two years.
Ohtani was the first player to win MVP unanimously twice.
It was natural that love calls were pouring in for Ohtani, who has top-class skills and star potential in the major leagues in both pitching and pitching.
The LA Angels’ original club presented a qualifying offer to a free agent player
offering a one-year contract with the average salary of the top 125 highest paid players
but Ohtani declined the offer and entered the free agent market.
Even before he hit the market, Ohtani’s stock price was rising, and most forecasts were that he would close a contract worth more than $500 million.
Although he had the burden of having to pay a large amount of money
it was worth it for teams to make a bold investment as Otani had both star quality and skills.
Contrary to expectations, Otani’s destination was not decided until after the winter meeting.
Clubs interested in Otani avoided direct comment.
This is because Otani’s agent, Nez Valero, requested that the clubs not disclose details related to the negotiations.
During this process, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ remarks became a hot topic among fans.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who recently announced that recruiting Ohtani was a “top priority
surprised everyone by revealing that he met with Ohtani for nearly three hours at Dodger Stadium on the 2nd when meeting reporters on the 6th.
Afterwards, there were rumors of a transfer to the Toronto Blue Jays as Ohtani boarded a plane to Toronto
but in the end, it was the Dodgers who won the battle to recruit Ohtani.
The LA Dodgers successfully recruited Ohtani by betting $700 million.
‘The Athletic’ analyzed the Dodgers’ recruitment of Ohtani and said, “I don’t think there is a player who can surpass what Ohtani has.
There is a good reason for that,” and “When he is healthy, he can double as a pitcher.
Also, his value in terms of marketing. “It shows that the Dodgers can get a return on their huge investment,” he explained.
“One official said, ‘The Dodgers will recoup their investment within 6 to 7 years.
Ohtani is literally a moneymaker, and that’s true even if you look at the value of just one advertisement.
In Japan, Ohtani is like Michael Jordan and Taylor Swift.’ “He also said.
Ohtani announced his decision to go to the Dodgers through his SNS and said
I apologize to all the fans and officials for taking so long to make a decision.
I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team.”
Ohtani said, “First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Angels team officials
the fans who supported us over the past six years, and the officials of each team who participated in the negotiation process.
In particular, I will forever engrave the six years I spent with the Angels in my heart.” He said.
He continued, “I promise to all Dodgers fans that I will always do my best for the team, and I will do my best to be the best version of myself.
I want to continue working hard for not only the Dodgers but also the baseball world until the end of my career.
I will talk about things I cannot convey at a future press conference.
Thank you very much,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers even carried out a trade to make room for Ohtani.
On the 12th, the Dodgers agreed to a 2-for-1 trade with the New York Yankees in exchange for reliever Victor Gonzalez and infielder Horbit Vivas in exchange for infielder Trey Sweeney.
Major League Baseball’s official website ‘MLB.com’ described this trade as “part of the ripple effect of the 10-year, $700 million contract the Dodgers signed with Ohtani.”
The Dodgers, who have a full 40-man roster, needed to stop traffic to make room for Ohtani. Through this trade
the Dodgers secured the positions of Ohtani and reliever Joe Kelly
who recently signed a one-year contract worth $8 million (about 10.6 billion won).
Gonzalez, who is leaving the Dodgers, appeared in 34 games in the 2023 season and recorded 3 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 4.01.
Gonzalez, who debuted in the big league in 2020, has become a sure-to-win team by recording 3 wins, 1 loss, 17 holds, 1 save, and an ERA of 3.57 in 44 games in 2021.
Vivas, who plays second and third basemen, is a prospect who has not yet stepped onto the major league stage.
He played 135 games in the minor league Double A and Triple A in the 2023 season
posting a batting average of 0.269, 13 home runs, 63 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.788. recorded.
Sweeney, who wore the Dodgers uniform, was selected by the Yankees with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 draft.
Sweeney played 100 games in Minor League Double A in the 2023 season
recording a batting average of 0.252, 13 home runs, 49 RBIs, 67 runs, 20 steals, and an OPS of 0.778.
Ohtani is expected to be able to keep the number 17 he wore with the Angels.
The Associated Press reported, “Joe Kelly, who previously used number 17, was registered as number 99
but is currently not assigned any number.
It appears that he is in the process of changing his uniform number.”
Meanwhile, the LA Dodgers announced on the 12th through their official SNS that the contract with Ohtani was formalized.
He announced the final contract confirmation after completing the physical examination.
Ohtani will wear the LA Dodgers uniform from the 2024 season to the 2033 season.
Ohtani turns 39 in the 2033 season. It is safe to say that it is almost a lifetime contract.
Ohtani said through the Dodgers, “Dear Dodgers fans, thank you for recruiting me to the Dodgers.
I can 100% say that the fans, the Dodgers, and I share the same goal of hosting a World Series parade on the streets of Los Angeles.” revealed.
The Dodgers team said, “On behalf of the Dodgers and their fans around the world
we welcome Ohtani to the Dodgers. We look forward to working with Ohtani for the good of the team.
Together with Ohtani, we will work hard to serve the fans around the world who enjoy the Major League.” I welcomed Otani’s arrival.
In addition, on this day, ESPN and the MLB Secretariat released the ‘World Tour’ broadcast schedule for the 2024 season.
According to this, the regular season opening game between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres
which will be held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 20th and 21st next year, will be broadcast live across the United States by ESPN.
In areas where the Dodgers and San Diego are based
you can watch it through the team’s dedicated broadcast, and in the rest of the world, it is broadcast by ESPN.
The MLB Secretariat, which aims to globalize baseball, is conducting a world tour where regular season games are played in other countries.
Seoul is included in next year’s world tour schedule, and it is the first time that an MLB regular season game is held in Korea.
There was a lot of interest because Korean major leaguer Kim Ha-seong, who plays for San Diego
was scheduled to appear in the game.
It will have a special meaning for Korean baseball fans as Ha-seong Kim will stand as a big leaguer in the place he used as his home room during his time with the Kiwoom Heroes.
Another topic was added here. The MLB Seoul Series will be Ohtani’s first regular season game in a Dodgers uniform.