At a young age, two-way wonder Shohei Ohtani’s palpable baseball talent found its route to the scouts of the NPB’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. In 2012, the Fighters drafted the teenager despite his initial demand to pursue a career in the MLB. Following the second year of his NPB debut, Shohei Ohtani touched a 100 million Yen salary for his third year. After spending five years with the Fighters, Ohtani finally signed with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.

Shohei Ohtani might be reaching a $500 million contract

In 2022, following the end of an $8.5 million contract worth two years, Ohtani signed a 500% raised contract worth $30 million for a year. After winning the American League MVP award in 2021, and almost being named the MVP in 2022, Ohtani is now looking at a whopping $500 million contract as he enters free agency before the 2024 season.

Crediting his abilities in the mound and on the box, Shotime will enter the 2023 season with lots of eyes on him and the expectations of living up to another MVP season.

Trending

Alex Verdugo a Dad Again Soon: Everything to Know about His Girlfriend Yamille Alcala

March 26, 2024 01:00 PM EDT

$1 Billion Too Little? How Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Mega Deals Led to the Dodgers’ Huge Growth in Japan

April 30, 2024 04:00 PM EDT

“Saw the Ball Disappear”: Aaron Boone Reveals Initial Reaction On Aaron Judge ‘Illegal Play’ On 2nd Base Slide

April 29, 2024 01:00 PM EDT

2024 NBA Playoffs: Timberwolves Owner Alex Rodriguez Sets Aside Ownership Feud To Celebrate 4-0 Sweep Over Phoenix Suns

April 30, 2024 05:30 PM EDT

MLB Reports: $500 Million Price Tag Attached to Oakland Athletics’ Desire to Leave California for Las Vegas

April 30, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest MLB stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Shohei Ohtani is getting paid in millions for World Baseball Classic 2023

Before signing a $30 million arbitration contract with the Angels for 2023, Ohtani’s net worth was $15 million. Now, with his Angels contract coming to an end, and him entering free agency at the end of the season in 2023, the tables are about to significantly turn for Ohtani.

Similarly, Japan’s pride – Shohei Ohtani’s WBC salary was also in millions of dollars. And the two-way wonder probably did justice to his salary by carrying his nation to the trophy of the World Baseball Classic, along with an MVP award in the tournament.

Shohei Ohtani’s on-field career earnings

Shohei Ohtani arrived in LA in 2018 and instantly surprised the world of baseball with the AL Rookie of the Year award. After the 2018 season came to an end, the two-way wonder found himself surrounded by injuries and sub-par performances. However, the Angels continued to show their faith in Ohtani and signed a two-year contract worth $8.5 million.

Shohei Ohtani Leaves Alex Rodriguez and ‘Big Papi’ David Ortiz in Splits Before Revealing How They Inspired Him

However, after an MVP-winning season in 2021, and his second All-Star appearance in 2022, Ohtani signed a $30 million contract (almost a 500% raise). Now, Ohtani could be potentially looking at a $500 million contract with his two primary suitors being the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers, along with his wish to remain on the American west coast.

Can we say Shohei Ohtani is an underpaid player?

Through 2021 and 2022, Shohei Ohtani made two All-Star appearances, along with appearances in the All-MLB First Team and Second Teams. With every passing year, Ohtani continues to rewrite history with his performances on the mound, in the box, and on the field. However, despite his unbelievable numbers in the park, Ohtani isn’t even among the top 250 salaries in the league.

World Baseball Classic 2023 MVP Shohei Ohtani’s Special Jersey Fetches a Whopping $99,600 Hours After Famous Victory

That being said, this statistic will only hold true for another few months until Shotime enters free agency.

Will being a free agent in 2023 be beneficial for Shohei Ohtani in 2024?

2022 was a career-defining season for Aaron Judge, who signed a nine-year-long contract worth $360 million following the conclusion of a season where he broke Roger Maris’ 61-home run record from 1961. Notably, even before the commencement of 2023, Ohtani is looking at a possible $500 contract. Like Judge, if Ohtani manages to outperform his previous two seasons, he could look at a contract even larger than $500 million.

When Ohtani finally enters free agency after the 2023 season comes to an end, where will he land? How big will the two-way wonder’s contract be? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

WATCH THIS STORY: Ranking Every Winner of the Prestigious World Baseball Classic