After weeks of speculation, Shohei Ohtani decided to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract.
The deal is the largest in professional sports history. Ohtani’s contract surpassed the MLB record that was previously held by former Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout when he signed a 12-year, $426.5 million extension in March 2019.
Lionel Messi had the all-time sports record at $674 million he received from FC Barcelona.
Because Ohtani rejected the $20.325 million qualifying offer from the Angels for the 2024 season, the Dodgers are forfeited their second- and fifth-highest selections in the 2024 MLB Draft, along with $1 million from their international bonus pool money.
With Shohei Ohtani agreeing to a record deal with the #Dodgers, the #Angels would receive a comp pick before Round 3, and the Dodgers would forfeit their 2nd- and 5th-highest picks and $1 million from their international bonus pool.
Complete Draft order: https://t.co/JK64n6ECER pic.twitter.com/OiIrMdNw6U
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) December 9, 2023
Meanwhile, the Angels are receiving a compensatory draft pick after the second round, in the range of No. 70 overall. The club would have picked in the fourth round had they not gotten under the luxury tax threshold during the 2023 season.
The Angels achieved this by allowing Lucas Giolito, Randal Grichuk, Dominic Leone, Reynaldo López, Matt Moore, and Hunter Renfroe to be claimed off waivers by teams in late August.
The Dodgers will make their first selection in the 2024 MLB Draft at No. 23 overall. The Cleveland Guardians were awarded the first overall pick for the first time in franchise history during the 2024 MLB Draft Lottery that was held last week at the Winter Meetings.
Dodgers react to Shohei Ohtani signing
Walker Buehler, Gavin Lux and Freddie Freeman were among the Dodgers who reacted to the news of Ohtani joining the team.
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