This offseason in MLB has been exciting for players and fans.
A record amount of money has been paid to free agents, and we have seen some impressive contracts.
Aaron Judge went to the New York Yankees for $360 million, Trea Turner got $300 million from the Philadelphia Phillies, the San Diego Padres gave $280 million to Xander Bogaerts, Brandon Nimmo received $162 million from the New York Mets, and so on.
Last night, the San Francisco Giants agreed to terms on a 13-year, $350 million pact with Carlos Correa.
While all of this happens, Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is licking his chops.
“That is wild. Also, Shohei Ohtani is going to make a billion dollars next year and I can’t wait to see who pays up,” radio host Shoaib Alli tweeted.
That is wild. Also, Shohei Ohtani is going to make a billion dollars next year and I can’t wait to see who pays up. https://t.co/Up8t7vm0Dc
— Shoaib Alli (@SNSAlli) December 14, 2022
Let’s gather the facts.
Ohtani is playing the last season of team control with the Angels, on a $30 million salary.
After the 2023 campaign, he will be a free agent if the Angels don’t extend him first, which is looking increasingly unlikely.
A Unique Player
He is currently 28 and produces like a slugger and an ace at the same time and occupying a single roster spot.
Perhaps he won’t get a billion dollars like Alli says, but Ohtani will sign a record deal if he remains in good health.
In fact, it’s not hard to see him putting pen to paper on a deal exceeding $500 million with the way the market has been moving this offseason.
Teams are loaded with money, and nearly all contenders will likely pursue Ohtani because of his ability to change a game from the mound or at the plate.
In 2022 alone, he hit .273/.356/.519 with 34 home runs while also posting a fine 2.33 ERA and striking out 219 hitters as a pitcher.
He is going to be a wealthy man.
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