Shohei Ohtani signs $700 million contract with LA Dodgers to become the richest MLB player in history

Shohei Ohtani has now become the highest paid player in the history of the MLB, signing a $700 million contract for ten years with LA Dodgers. The player will reportedly get paid for a longer term than his playing years, and is set to receive around $30 million for the next 25 years as part of his agreement. 

His decision has also been made keeping in mind that the team is set to be built around him for the foreseeable future. Aged 29, the Japanese pitcher is at his physical peak and is one of the highest paid athletes in the world with his new contract. 

Shohei Ohtani becomes highest-paid MLB player in history 

The record for the best-paid MLB player was previously held by Mike Trout, who earned around $426.5 million over a period of 12 years. Ohtani’s contract is double that amount, and puts him in another bracket altogether. 

Fellow Dodgers player Mookie Betts ranks third in the list behind Shohei Ohtani, signing a contract worth $356 million in 2020. In fourth place is Aaron Judge with a nine-year contract worth $360 million, while fifth place is occupied by Manny Machado, who signed a $350 million contract for 11 years. 

The all-round approach of the Japanese player has left fans and critics stunned, as he regularly made headlines with his performances pitching, as well as batting. And with their immense show of confidence in Ohtani, the Dodgers will be hoping to reap the rewards in the form of results in the long run too.