Shohei Ohtani has signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the largest in baseball and North American professional sports history. Announcing his decision on Instagram, Ohtani expressed his anticipation for joining the storied Dodgers franchise. This deal significantly outstrips the previous record held by Mike Trout, Ohtani’s former teammate, who signed a 12-year, $426.5 million extension in 2019.

Ohtani’s contract also surpasses the $450 million deal of NFL’s Patrick Mahomes. His average annual salary of $70 million sets a new high in Major League Baseball, overtaking Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer’s records. Remarkably, this salary is higher than the entire 2023 Opening Day payrolls of some teams like the Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics.

Ohtani’s unique ability as a two-way player has captivated baseball fans and transformed expectations within the sport. His performance over the past three years has not only garnered widespread acclaim but also redefined what is considered possible in the MLB.