Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese sensation who recently signed a record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, faced the media for the first time since the deal. During his introductory press conference, Ohtani addressed several topics:
1. Surgery Secrecy: Ohtani had undergone surgery with Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache but didn’t specify the type. He explained that the procedure’s details weren’t disclosed at the time of the announcement.
2. Free Agency Silence: Ohtani didn’t divulge which other teams he negotiated with before signing with the Dodgers. He preferred not to discuss his discussions with other organizations to avoid interfering with their plans.
3. Dog’s Name: Ohtani revealed his dog’s name, “Decoy” or “Dekopin” in Japanese, which had been seen with him during the MLB Network announcement of his second MVP award.
4. Dodgers’ Winning Mindset: Ohtani shared that the Dodgers’ ownership group expressed their unwavering commitment to winning. Despite their success over the last decade, they considered it a failure if they didn’t win the World Series each year. This winning mentality aligns with Ohtani’s goals.
5. Moving to the Dodgers: Ohtani, a two-way star as both a hitter and pitcher, thanked the Los Angeles Angels during the press conference for the six great years he spent with them. He expressed excitement about his move to the Dodgers and his decision to join the team on the eve of the announcement.
Ohtani’s unique contract features annual salaries of $70 million, with $68 million deferred with no interest, payable in equal installments each July 1 from 2034-2043. This deferred money helps the Dodgers’ luxury tax payroll while offering Ohtani a safety net to opt out if specific conditions regarding team leadership are not met.
The press conference marked an important moment in Ohtani’s transition to the Dodgers, where he aims to continue his remarkable success as both a hitter and pitcher.