By signing a very lucrative 10-year, $700 million contract, Shohei Ohtani received the largest contract in major baseball history.
The new Los Angeles Dodgers player has secured his future, that of his children, his grandchildren and probably his great-grandchildren.
• Also read: Shohei Ohtani signs with the Dodgers for $700 million
The Japanese stole the record for the most lucrative deal from his former Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout. In 2019, the power hitter signed a 12-year contract extension worth a total of $426.5 million.
However, the record for a contract signed as a free agent belonged to Aaron Judge. Last year he used his autonomy to go shopping. After flirting with a few teams, the outfielder decided to stay with the New York Yankees. He received a nine-year, $360 million contract.
Ohtani becomes the 13th player in major league history to receive a contract worth at least $300 million. He, Trout and Judge are part of this very exclusive club with Mookie Betts (12 years – $365 million), Manny Machado (11 years – $350 million), Francisco Lindor (10 years – $341 million) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (14 years old). – $340 million), Bryce Harper (13 years – $330 million), Giancarlo Stanton (13 years – $325 million), Corey Seager (10 years – $325 million), Gerrit Cole, (nine years – $324 million), Rafael Devers (10 years – $313.5 million) and Trea Turner (11 years – $300 million).
A lot of money per year
Not surprisingly, Ohtani also became the highest-paid player per year in Major League Baseball.
The Gunners Max Scherzer (Texas Rangers) and Justin Verlander (Houston Astros) previously held this title. The right-handers, ages 39 and 40 respectively, have a contract that allows them to earn $43.33 million annually. It was also the New York Mets who offered them these agreements. The Big Apple Club traded her during the last campaign.
Other Gunners with impressive annual salaries include Cole ($36 million) and Stephen Strasburg ($35 million).
Ranked fourth and fifth among all Major League Baseball players are Judge ($40 million) and Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon ($38.6 million).