Los Angeles are getting both a brilliant pitcher and hitter in the Japanese star. They’ll also reap an enormous boost in income
Culturally, it’s the biggest free agency splash in North American sports since LeBron James left Cleveland for Miami in “The Decision” in 2010. Monetarily, it’s much bigger than that. And competitively, it’s a potential trump card in baseball’s perpetual arms race between the league’s highest-spending clubs.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and unprecedented pitcher-designated hitter combination Shohei Ohtani have an agreement for a reported 10 years and $700m. When completed, the deal will be the largest by total and annual value in American sports history. The 29-year-old announced his decision to join the Dodgers, leaving the crosstown Los Angeles Angels, on Saturday. The club had not yet acknowledged the pact on Sunday – most likely waiting for the result of a physical exam, which is relevant because of a torn ulnar collateral ligament that will prevent Ohtani from pitching until at least the 2025 season. But the deal will settle eventually, Ohtani will move from Anaheim to Chavez Ravine. When he completes his move, one of the league’s best teams will add its best and most marketable star.
About Author
More Stories
Rafael Nadal says he ‘doesn’t have the ego’ to prolong his retirement – video
Socceroos in danger of running out of lifelines with tricky Bahrain up next
Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action