The biggest free agent of the MLB offseason, and possibly in baseball history, has found his new home.
Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is joining the Dodgers on a record-setting deal worth $700 million over 10 years.
Ohtani made the news official with a post to Instagram.
"To all the fans and everyone involved in the baseball world, I apologize for taking so long to come to a decision," Ohtani wrote. "I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team."
Ohtani's deal is a game-changer. While there is no athlete like Ohtani on the planet, his deal puts the world one step closer to an athlete signing a billion-dollar deal.
Fans across the baseball world were in awe, and congratulated Ohtani on his new home.
Shohei Ohtani’s agent just announced that he has signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the LA Dodgers.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 9, 2023
That’s almost $300 million more than the previous MLB record.
That’s insane ???? pic.twitter.com/A4TQtEOxbB
Shohei Ohtani after he signed his 700 million dollar deal with the Dodgers pic.twitter.com/o5iNBDjZMa
— Jason Williams (@jasoneg33) December 9, 2023
https://t.co/ECj21noKts pic.twitter.com/LFDFZnasvK
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 9, 2023
The average annual value of Shohei Ohtani’s contract is $3 million less than the Orioles’ current projected 2024 payroll. https://t.co/xKUEIwWAXf
— Nathan Ruiz (@NathanSRuiz) December 9, 2023
I haven’t followed much of the Ohtani chase but my jaw fell to the floor at $700 million. https://t.co/JzWSABJ8uP
— Alexandra Licata (@alexandralicata) December 9, 2023
QB++++ money… https://t.co/YHh28I5zrt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 9, 2023
Wow. Shohei Ohtani's reported deal with the Dodgers would be the largest in sports history, topping the $674 million Lionel Messi got from Barcelona. https://t.co/UQaqo8hzMe
— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) December 9, 2023
That is so many dollars https://t.co/6HHWTqFpqs
— Adam Aaronson (@SixersAdam) December 9, 2023
A double super max
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) December 9, 2023
The luxury of no salary cap https://t.co/QXFaCFYUnR