Shohei Ohtani stuns MLB world with $700 million contract with Los Angeles Dodgers

The reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani reportedly became the highest-paid player in baseball history with an average annual salary of $70 million

By Julia Elbaba • •

NBC Universal, Inc.

Two-time MLB MVP Award winner Shohei Ohtani agreed to a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers ending one of the most anticipated free-agent decisions in baseball history.

Shohei Ohtani reportedly signed a whopping 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, leaving the baseball world in utter shock.

Not only because the reigning AL MVP became the highest-paid player in baseball history with an average annual salary of $70 million but because for a solid 24 hours, the internet was convinced Ohtani was leaving Los Angeles and headed to the Toronto Blue Jays.

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Nonetheless, fans around the country are feeling a whirlwind of emotions.

For starters, however, the 29-year-old star says he is filled with joy as he embarks on this new chapter but is grateful for all the Angels organization has done for his career.

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"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years...  Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys’ support and cheer meant the world to me. The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever," Ohanti took to Instagram.

As for his next chapter with the Dodgers...

"And to all Dodgers fans, I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself. Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world," he said.

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But how about the rest of the baseball world?

Let's start with the Dodgers' fans -- pure bliss.

Then there are those who are just mind-boggled by the record-breaking contract:


Lastly, you can't forget the Blue Jays' fans who spent the past 24 hours on pins and needles thinking they would land the star.

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