Shohei Ohtani Structures Contract To Maximize Dodgers Spending Over 10 Years

Ohtani agreed to unprecedented deferrals in his deal with the Dodgers.

If fans in Los Angeles didn't love Shohei Ohtani already, they will now! Ohtani has agreed to defer all but $2 million of his annual salary each season. He agreed to a record-setting 10-year contract that is worth $700 million.

This means that $68 million of the $70 million each year will be paid out at the end of his contract with LA. Dodgers Insider Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic broke the news.

"In an effort to enable the Dodgers to continue spending around stars Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, Ohtani agreed to defer all but $2 million of his annual salary — $68 million of his $70 million per year — until after the completion of the contract. The deferred money is to be paid out without interest from 2034 to 2043."

Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic

This unprecedented move by Ohtani allows the Dodgers to have maximum spending flexibility during the duration of his contract with them. He was stuck in mediocrity for years with the Los Angeles Angels, and this is his way of making sure that didn't happen again.

The pressure now falls on the Dodgers' front office to spend, just to keep him happy. He is trusting the organization with this type of move, so they will have to keep their part of the agreement up.

One of the many incredible parts of Shohei Ohtani’s deferred contract is the Dodgers are essentially forced to spend big now.

Ohtani is allowing them to keep $680 million over the next 10 years, so Andrew Friedman and co. have no choice but to spend it to make him happy and win

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) December 11, 2023

Most superstar players don't make moves like this, but Ohtani isn't just some player. He is a special once-in-a-generation player who has agreed to be with the Dodgers for the rest of his career.

Rejoice, Los Angeles, Shohei is here to stay!