I came across this video from 2023 right after Shohei signed that details a contract provision that isn’t discussed much. It’s not just that he is getting paid $2 million, it’s also the timing of when the Dodgers would have to fund his deferred payments.

Passan outlines how the Dodgers have not had to allocate funds for Shohei’s deferred payments until July 1, 2026. In the meantime, the Dodgers have had cash pouring in from all the sponsorships and brand deals.

That effectively gave the Dodgers 2.5 years of added financial flexibility, which helps to explain how they have been able to be even more aggressive in free agency. It also helps to show the direct connection between Shohei’s contract and the off season spending.

Also, it’s crazy to see two years later just how perfectly executed the plan was.

Shohei’s contract was specifically set up to provide extra spending flexibility through July 2026 (video from 2023)
byu/dnamra29 inDodgers

6 comments

  2. Given the insane amounts of cash he is generating (along with the other Dodgers stars), I don’t even think they need the breathing room his contract gives them. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt though.

  3. Ohtani could have legit asked for a dollar and still made $100 million a year from his endorsement. His marketing power is unfathomable

  4. I think that this was a direct response to how badly managed the Angels were (and still are). He saw how the Rendon and Trout contracts (as deserved as Trout’s was), along with his own post-arbitration money, could potentially choke a team and make it impossible to build around. One (or even 5 or 6) stars cannot carry a baseball team. They need role players and depth to make a championship happen.

    Everything about his Dodgers deal says “I can make more than enough money, let’s build a dynasty together.”

  5. If he didn’t already know, Shohei definitely learned with the angels that 1 or 2 superstars is not enough to carry a mediocre team. Very glad he got a second chance and the Dodgers obliged him

  6. Why is bald bro pretending like he’s listening and not Google meeting himself?

Leave a Reply