Shohei Ohtani signs a record-breaking $700 million, ten-year deal with the Dodgers

The Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million, 10-year contract Saturday.

After days of curiosity about where the unusual, two-way player would play after six seasons with the Angels, the transaction was confirmed.

“This is a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player,” CAA Sports agent Nez Balelo said of Ohtani. “He is excited to begin this partnership, and he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success.”

Ohtani's total was 64% greater than baseball's previous record, Angels outfielder Mike Trout's 2019 $426.5 million, 12-year deal.

His average compensation of $70 million is 62% higher than the $43,333,333 Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander received after signing with the New York Mets. Ohtani's average pay nearly triple his $42.3 million Angels deal.

Ohtani made his decision six years and one day after signing with the Angels.

Ohtani changed modern baseball by joining the Angels as his first big league squad. Nobody has come close to his dual success at the plate and on the mound, becoming a leagues elite player in both roles while healthy. As one of the world's most marketable athletes, he boosts ticket sales, TV ratings, and sponsorship profits wherever he travels.

A unanimous AL MVP in 2021 and 2023, he finished second in 2022 and won this year despite hurting his elbow in late August and an oblique muscle in early September.

He has a 39-19 record, 3.01 ERA, 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings, and a.274 average with 171 homers, 437 RBIs, and 86 stolen bases before his 30th birthday on July 5. Baseball Reference has 34.7 WAR for Ohtani.