Shohei Ohtani signs record-deal with Dodgers — What does it mean for Phillies?
Aug 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
The two-way superstar is coming to the National League.
Shohei Ohtani is signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $700 million over 10 years. It is reported that the deal includes “unprecedented deferrals” to offset some of the cost of the record-breaking $70 million AAV and the luxury tax harms that come with it.
Ohtani signing with the Dodgers should probably open up more activity in the free-agent market. The deal sets a new bar for superstar salaries in baseball. Of course, a lot of that value is because of Ohtani’s ability to pitch and hit at an elite level, but he is also one of the most prominent people in Japan and one of the most marketable stars in sports history. Ohtani will bring in tens of millions in marketing-related revenue for the Dodgers yearly.
However, this is not as compelling for the Phillies, as they will be seeing a lot more of Ohtani over the next decade.
They face the Dodgers at home on Tuesday, July 9, Wednesday, July 10, and Thursday, July 11. They head to Dodger Stadium on August 5-7.
The Phillies have avoided the Dodgers in the postseason over the last two seasons, but the Phillies may face Ohtani and the Dodgers during Red October in the coming years. If the Phils end up with the four-seed again, they could see the Dodgers in the NLDS, if they finish in the one-seed, and then maybe the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS.
It will be a much tougher road for the Phils in the NL over the next decade.
