The Dodgers see $700m Shohei Ohtani as an investment rather than an expense

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.