Shohei Ohtani has announced his next team on Instagram: The Los Angeles Dodgers. ESPN is reporting that the two-time MVP has struck a deal for 10 years and $700 million, the latter the biggest deal in baseball history with an average annual value of $70 million, not including endorsements, of which there will be plenty.
Ohtani was known to be seeking a deal above $500 million, but today’s figure was stunning, dwarfing previous huge outlays for such stars as ex-Angels teammate Mike Trout and the New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge.
Ohtani started his career with the Los Angeles Angels after several years in Japanese baseball, and became a dominant two-way MLB talent.
Every big market team was reportedly attempting to lure him, with the Toronto Blue Jays allegedly the leader until today’s announcement.
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