“I will not sign a contract for less than $500 million.”
David Sampson, former president of the Miami Marlins, predicted to Forbes on the 23rd (Korean time) that Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels) would not sign a contract for less than $500 million. Recently, Ohtani agent Nezu Valero said, “It’s just someone’s opinion,” to the $500 million theory, but in the end, it is expected that Ohtani will ask for more than $500 million in total regardless of which team he signs.
Forbes said, “In a baseball world where player contracts are increasingly expanding, it is not unrealistic for a player with skills like Ohtani to sign a $500 million contract.” If the Angels give up Ohtani, the New York Mets ‘billionaire owner’ Steve Cohen predicts that he will compete for Ohtani.
In this situation, Sampson said, “Ohtani is the best starting pitcher in the major leagues and has mid-level hitting ability.” He claimed that if the team payroll was $200 million, he would be happy to give Ohtani $50 million. In general, if a player’s salary exceeds 20% of the team’s payroll, it is abnormal and difficult to win, but in Ohtani’s case, it was reasonable to calculate with two players.
Even Sampson said, “Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander (both New York Mets) earn $43.33 million, so Ohtani’s annual salary of $50 million is reasonable.” Also, “Ohtani has the potential to become the best starting pitcher and the best central hitter for the next nine years. It’s possible, but it will be something no one has seen in major league history.”
At the same time, regarding Ohtani’s future ransom, “I will not sign a contract below the record (500 million won). Is it a 10-year contract worth $50 million per year? The worst part for the team in this deal is that Ohtani will want an opt-out clause.” 메이저놀이터
It is predicted that a safety device will be prepared so that the contract can be canceled at any time and go to the FA market to win a better contract. If 29-year-old Ohtani, born in 1994, signs a 10-year, $500 million contract, he will be in his mid-30s even if he digests only half of it and goes back to free agency. Known for thorough self-management, Ohtani is likely to play for a long time in the major leagues.
Ohtani recently joined the Angels’ spring camp in Tampee, Arizona, USA, to prepare for the 2023 season. According to Japanese Full Count, he easily recorded a fastball of 156km through live pitching. On the 22nd, he passed numerous batted balls over the fence through live betting.
Of course, there is no mention of contract-related talk at all. MLB.com said that Ohtani’s first start in an exhibition game will be against the Oakland Athletics on the 1st of next month, and he will play as a hitter in two games before that to adjust his condition. The Japanese WBC national team will join on the 2nd of next month.