Imagine signing the biggest contract in MLB history, yet people still wonder if you’re worth it. That’s the reality for Shohei Ohtani, the $700 million man. Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract sounds like something straight out of a fantasy league. Some critics question whether he’s overpaid since he’s not even pitching post-TJ surgery. But the truth is, Ohtani isn’t just a player; he’s a walking, talking (and slugging) franchise. And according to one former MLB star, Ohtani is actually underpaid.
Since his MLB debut in 2018, he’s been smashing milestones like it’s his full-time job. The 2024 NL MVP made history with 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in one season. Last year, Ohtani led the NL in on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.646), RBIs (130), home runs (54), and runs scored (134). Despite Ohtani not pitching currently, the value he offers in terms of slugging and getting the Dodgers to win the World Series in his first year with them is second to none. So, overpaid? Nope. Not even close.
“He’s the most underpaid guy on the planet right now,” said the former catcher AJ Pierzynski in a podcast with Foul Territory, hosted by Scott Braun and Todd Frazier. Braun also had similar thoughts: “He might be the biggest bargain in sports contract history; even if he’s just a hitter, let’s wipe out the pitching, top five bat, and he’s bringing the team a ton of money and a ton of success; that’s what you sign a guy up for.”
Well, being the face of MLB, the brand value that Ohtani generates for the team is more than $700 million. What’s more? From his $700 million contract, Ohtani will receive $2 million per year until 2033. Then $68 million per year from 2034 to 2043. Thus, the contract spreads out his payments over a long period, which reduces the present value of the payments. The Dodgers’ payroll is, hence, significantly lower during the period that Ohtani plays for them because of the deferred payments.
A six-man rotation built for dominance + Ohtani—a Dodgers’ dynasty in the making?
Not only did the Dodgers get a bargain in getting Shohei Ohtani, but it is their entire squad that offers the best value among all the 30 teams in the MLB. How? The Dodgers are much more equipped than ever this year after winning the 2024 World Series. They made significant splashes during free agency and retooled by adding to an impossibly impressive core. This includes adding powerful arms like Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki. According to BetMGM, the Dodgers (+240) opened at +400 when the lines started. Now they have an indicated probability of 29.4 percent to win another ring.
Ohtani is projected to pitch this year, and that’s what makes the Dodgers unstoppable in terms of their pitching rotation. The six-man pitching rotation for the Dodgers this year is Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Gonsolin, May, and Landon Knack! Therefore, the Dodgers are expected to have one of the greatest rotations in baseball, even with Ohtani as a full-time designated hitter. Well, it’s not obvious that on-paper performance will get reflected on the field. The Dodgers are still starting as the favorite this year.
The Dodgers got all the right moves recently. The upcoming regular season will prove if the moves are enough yield for the team.
