Take Me Out...Yes...It's BASEBALL!

[sensei8]

I'm NOT a Rangers fan at all. I'm a pinstriped diehard Yankee fan and always will be. I cheered for the Rangers during the World Series because I wanted to see them win their first World Series.

I knew you weren't, Bob. I recalled that you were one of those darned Yankees.

[KarateKen]

Remember the days when the football and baseball teams shared a stadium? You'd have football players running through the infield and looking like they stole second after every play. That was common 25 years ago but now they all have separate stadiums.

[sensei8]

Remember the days when the football and baseball teams shared a stadium? You'd have football players running through the infield and looking like they stole second after every play. That was common 25 years ago but now they all have separate stadiums.

One of the best decisions for both brands. Served its purpose in those times and I did get a kick out of seeing both brands' field layout in a birds-eye view. It should me that one can put a square peg into a round peg, so to speak.

[sensei8]

Man, oh man I should've kept playing baseball beyond high school where I lettered at 3rd base. But no, I decided to teach the MA and own a MA suppky store for a living instead.

I was a switch hitter, and I threw right-handed while in high school. I started playing baseball in the Little League as long as I can remember. During baseball season, that's where I'd be for both practice and games, and not training at the dojo.

I said all of that to say this. $700 Million.

No, I wasn't a pitcher and yes, I was born some time ago where the salary way back in the late 70's, which would be about $122M, which would be just fine to me, wasn't anywhere close to $700 Million.

Shohei Ohani is the newest Dodgers SP that landed a record-breaking 10-year $700M contract. Apparently, Ohtani is clearly worth the money as he’s the best baseball player in the world.

Who's the $700 Million Dollar Pitcher?

Bats Left. Throws Right. He's a DH. He's a SP. He's 29 years old. He played on Japan from 2013-2017. Played for the Angels 2018-2023.

In Japan

Win–loss record 42–15

Earned run average 2.52

Strikeouts 624

Batting average .286

Home runs 48

Runs batted in 166

In MLB(Has only played for the Angels)

Win–loss record 38–19

Earned run average 3.01

Strikeouts 606

Batting average .274

Home runs 171

Runs batted in 437

The Angels didn't make it to the 2023 MLB Wild-Card or the subsequential Playoffs with a record of 73-89 for 4th place in the AL West.

The Dodgers fared much better on 2023 than the Angels. The Dodgers for 2023 had a record of 100-62 as the NL West Champions. During the playoffs, the Dodgers lost the Division Series to the Diamondbacks 3-0.

All of that money that the Dodgers forked out might've forgotten one undeniable fact...it takes a TEAM to win the World Series and not just 1 player no matter how good that 1 player is. However, perhaps Ohtani will be the necessary difference that the Dodgers need in 2024...maybe.

GO YANKEES!!

[Patrick]

The Ohtani signing has let to a lot of reading on contract deferrals, which has been pretty interesting. I am not 100% sure how I feel about it, but the Dodgers found a way to save some money on the contact.

I don't think he's worth almost twice what Judge is. He can only play 162 games, and the injury is a concern.

I'm hoping the Yankees sign Yamamoto. He's the guy I've wanted most this free agent period.

[sensei8]

The Ohtani signing has let to a lot of reading on contract deferrals, which has been pretty interesting. I am not 100% sure how I feel about it, but the Dodgers found a way to save some money on the contact.

I don't think he's worth almost twice what Judge is. He can only play 162 games, and the injury is a concern.

I'm hoping the Yankees sign Yamamoto. He's the guy I've wanted most this free agent period.

Solid post!!

[KarateKen]

The Ohtani signing has let to a lot of reading on contract deferrals, which has been pretty interesting. I am not 100% sure how I feel about it, but the Dodgers found a way to save some money on the contact.

I don't think he's worth almost twice what Judge is. He can only play 162 games, and the injury is a concern.

I'm hoping the Yankees sign Yamamoto. He's the guy I've wanted most this free agent period.

I read the contract only pays 2 million a year for the first 9 years then in the 10th year he makes the rest of it, which I guess is 682 million. I'd be surprised if that was accurate.

[sensei8]

Ohtani will not be paid a straight $70M a year for 10 years. Ohtani agreed to defer all but $2M of his annual salary...$68M of his $70M per year...until after the completion of the contract. The deferred money is to be paid out without interest from 2034 to 2043.

The deferrals over $600M seems to be a norm in the MLB as a soft salary cap through the Luxury Tax (CBT) which helps the teams. Teams are fined hefty, from $20Mto $60M or more, if they exceed the salary cap threshold, which for 2024 is $237M.

Yes, the Dodgers will be happy to earn interest on some of the money Ohtani deferred, and he also helped them avoid the steeper CBT penalties moving forward. The deferrals were Ohtani's idea...not only is he a great player, he's also one smart cookie. Afterall, this isn't Ohtani's first rodeo in MLB.

If it was me, I guess I could learn to survive on a lousy $2M a year.

[Patrick]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/dodgers-to-sign-shohei-ohtani.html

They'll still have a $46 million dollar luxury tax number each year. Basically, deferred money is discounted at a certain rate for the luxury tax calculation.

[sensei8]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/dodgers-to-sign-shohei-ohtani.html

They'll still have a $46 million dollar luxury tax number each year. Basically, deferred money is discounted at a certain rate for the luxury tax calculation.

Very informative article. Thank you, Patrick, for sharing it.