Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani sent shockwaves through the sports world by announcing on his Instagram that he has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers to a record-shattering 10-year contract worth $700 million.
The already star-studded Dodgers add another MVP to their roster. A three-headed monster of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani will be a problem for 29 other pitching staffs to deal with.
Shohei Ohtani By The Numbers
Ohtani is a Rookie of the Year, winning it in 2018, and a two-time MVP, winning the award in 2021 and 2023. In his first six years with the Los Angeles Angels, he played in 701 games and slashed .274/.366/.556 with a .922 OPS and a 146 wRC+; he had 129 doubles, 29 triples, 171 home runs, 437 RBI, 428 runs scored, 86 stolen bases and 351 walks. As for pitching, he has made 86 starts, having a .301 ERA, a 3.30 FIP, a 1.08 WHIP, a 3.2 BB/9, and an 11.4 K/9.
In 2023, at the plate, he slashed .304/.412/.654 with a 1.066 OPS and a 180 wRC+; he had 26 doubles, eight triples, 44 home runs, 95 RBI, 102 runs scored, 20 stolen bases, and 91 walks. Pitching in 2023 before he was shut down and needed Tommy John surgery, he made 23 starts, having a 3.14 ERA, a 4.00 FIP, a 1.06 WHIP, a 3.8 BB/9, and an 11.4 K/9.
Wrap up
The Dodgers were already perennial 100-game winners, and the addition of the game’s best player will only enhance their rich regular season success. Early exits in the postseason have plagued the Dodgers, except for the 60-game 2020 World Series championship.
Will Ohtani be enough to put the Dodgers over the hump is remained to be seen. Depth on the mound is still needed, and Ohtani will not be on the mound until 2025 due to elbow surgery.
Nonetheless, the game’s biggest star made history and signed the biggest sports contract with one of baseball’s biggest markets.
