World Series MLB: Why Did the Dodgers Get Shohei Ohtani's First Year Contract for Free?

Background on Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the league and has won numerous awards, including the 2021 AL MVP Award. Ohtani is a unique talent who can both pitch and hit at an elite level. He is a five-tool player who can do it all on the field.

How the Dodgers Acquired Ohtani

Ohtani signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent in 2017. He received a $2.315 million signing bonus, which was the largest ever given to a Japanese player at the time. The Dodgers were one of several teams interested in signing Ohtani, but they were ultimately able to land him because of their strong relationship with his agent, Nez Balelo.

Why the Dodgers Got Ohtani for Free

Ohtani was technically not a free agent when he signed with the Dodgers. He was still under contract with the Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Japanese Pacific League. However, Ohtani had a special provision in his contract that allowed him to opt out and sign with an MLB team after the 2017 season. The Dodgers were able to sign Ohtani for free because they did not have to pay a transfer fee to the Fighters.

The Impact of Ohtani on the Dodgers

Ohtani has been a major contributor to the Dodgers' success since joining the team. He has been a key part of their rotation and has also been a productive hitter. In 2021, Ohtani won the AL MVP Award after hitting 46 home runs and stealing 26 bases while also going 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA on the mound. The Dodgers are fortunate to have Ohtani on their team, and he is a big reason why they are one of the favorites to win the World Series in 2023.