Now that Shohei Ohtani has affirmed that he will continue his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and that we have understood that the contract is for $700 million, let's say that the baseball world has its topic of the hour.
And with good reason.
What's surprising about Shohei's contract is that there is no opt-out and no performance-related bonuses. Why is this surprising?
Because two elbow surgeries later, who knows how good a pitcher he'll be in the future. This would have protected his club.
But OK. We understand that he was in such high demand that it no longer became necessary, at a certain point in the negotiations.
But it still makes me think of the real estate market which was so crazy in recent years that people had to buy a house without having it inspected.
That said, as we can see, it's clear that while Shohei is happy to have chosen the Dodgers, his new club hasn't announced anything.
And then we learn that the Dodgers refuse to say whether Shohei Ohtani passed his medical test to formalize the contract. Everything therefore suggests that it is not yet done.
Note that it is logical to think that, given the fact that Nippon was still visibly undecided yesterday about its future.
Normally this should be a formality. That said, Carlos Correa taught us last year that this is not always the case.
Am I saying this will be the case with Ohtani? That's not what I'm saying. After all, the Dodgers know he's recovering from elbow surgery.
But for a guy who's had three major surgeries (two elbows, one knee) in the last five years, you have to wonder how the medical tests will go.
Logically, although it could take a few days, expect the Dodgers to officially announce the contract soon.
A place on the 40-man roster will also have to be made.
I don't think Japan will make three clubs like Correa last year and the Blue Jays, Angels, Giants, Cubs and others should not hold their breath.
That said, I'm sure Dodgers fans are looking forward to the press conference.
- $717M for 10 years for all the guys in Pittsburgh. $700 million for 10 years of a guy in LA
- The Dodgers kick off their season in Asia. Take Juan Soto out of there and put in Shohei Ohtani.
- Shohei Ohtani's agent never contacted Steve Cohen.
Steve Cohen provides a reason for why Shohei Ohtani is not a Met 👀
More, from @WillSammon ⤵️https://t.co/3NequiKdC7 pic.twitter.com/JCrTFmr0Kh
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 10, 2023
- JD Martinez will therefore not return to LA
