Ohtani says Dodgers passion for winning led to signing, salary deferral
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[December 15, 2023]
By Rory Carroll
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Shohei Ohtani said the Dodgers' thirst for
World Series glory was ultimately what led the Japanese superstar to
sign a record contract with the team and take a stunning salary
deferral.
In front of a packed press conference at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani said
he wanted to build his legacy in the game after signing a 10-year,
$700 million contract that includes deferring 97% of that money for
a decade.
The dual-threat, two-time American League MVP said he did not settle
on which team to suit up for until the night before he made his
announcement in an Instagram post on Saturday.
"There are a lot of reasons I chose this team," Ohtani, 29, said
through his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara while donning a crisp, white
Dodgers jersey.
"One thing that really stands out in my head is when I had the
meeting with the Dodgers ownership group," he said.
"They said that when they looked back at the last 10 years, even
though they've made the playoffs every single year, they have only
won one World Series ring, and they consider that a failure.
"When I heard that, I knew they were all about winning, and that's
exactly how I feel."
Ohtani never competed in a playoff games in his six seasons with the
Los Angeles Angels and now joins a Dodgers club which followed their
2020 World Series triumph with three straight 100-win seasons.
He said he wanted to take full advantage of the deferral structure
afforded in MLB contracts to help his team add even more talent to a
roster that features perennial All Stars Mookie Betts and Freddie
Freeman.
"I was doing some calculations," he said.
"I figured if I defer as much money as I can, that's going to help
the (competitive balance tax) and that's going to help the Dodgers
be able to sign better players and make a better team.
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Dec 14, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers player
Shohei Ohtani is introduced at a press conference at Dodger Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
"I felt like that was worth it and I was willing to
go that direction."
Because Ohtani will receive only $2 million a year for the first
decade of his contract, the Dodgers incur only a $46 million charge
against the levy instead of $70 million.
The deferral means Ohtani will be cashing massive checks until 2043.
Ohtani can afford to make the sacrifice. He collected $40 million
from sponsors including New Balance this past season, the Los
Angeles Times reported.
Off-season surgery will keep Ohtani off the mound next year, but he
said he will be ready to hit on Opening Day.
With huge contracts come sky-high expectations from a Dodgers fan
base and organization eager for another World Series trophy after
the last three seasons ended in a post-season flop.
Ohtani said he was up for the test.
"Going forward with the Dodgers, I feel the same as I did six years
ago.
"I always love challenges and I feel like I'll be facing a lot of
new challenges as a Dodger.
"I'm ready for it."
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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