Shohei Ohtani Worth Every Cent as He Reaches 50/50 Mark
Shohei Ohtani on Thursday became the first player to amass at least 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in one season, and at face value, he appears to be the best bargain in Major League Baseball history.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star slugged two home runs in the first seven innings against the Miami Marlins to reach his target, the record-setter a towering opposite-field drive. For good measure, he added a third home run of the day—his 51st of the season—to cap a historic outing.
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Even though the Dodgers signed him to a 10-year, $700 million free-agent contract this past winter, about 97% percent of it was deferred, meaning the cash value of his contract this season is $2 million. But by MLB rule, the Dodgers still had to fund the remaining $68 million each season for 10 years and keep it in escrow.
The Dodgers will be able to invest that money and earn interest, and won’t have to pay the face of New Balance’s baseball division that yearly $68 million until 2034 to 2043.
Ohtani didn’t pitch this season coming off elbow surgery, but should be ready to resume his role as the sport’s most dominant two-way player by the start of next year’s spring training, LA manager Dave Roberts said, adding it’s not outlandish to think he might throw in postseason considering his club’s pitching shortage.
During a season in which the Dodgers have been riddled with injuries to almost their entire pitching staff and key position players, Ohtani has missed only three games as the club’s designated hitter. He already set the all-time record for homers and steals when he passed the 43/43 plateau in Arizona during Labor Day weekend.
“He’s incredible,” Roberts said. “I don’t know where we’d be without him.”
The Dodgers aren’t the only ones cashing in on Ohtani’s on-field prowess.
According to Ken Goldin, a top evaluator of sports memorabilia, the No. 17 jersey Ohtani wore when he set the 50/50 milestone could fetch as much as $500,000, and the bat and ball from his 50th homer could garner $250,000.
“His products are in exceptionally high demand throughout the world due to his universal appeal,” Goldin said. “The bat, jersey and home run ball he uses to accomplish the feat would be highly contested and in demand.”
Two years ago, Aaron Judge’s 62nd homer ball was auctioned by Goldin for $1.25 million. Judge set the New York Yankees and American League record of 61, held by Roger Maris, in Texas on the next-to-last day of the regular season. Judge seemed to be on his way to matching that mark this season when he smacked his 51st homer on Aug. 25, but he then went 16 games without one before hitting No, 52 Friday, a grand slam against Boston.
Recent rule changes have aided Ohtani in his 50/50 quest, regarding steals in particular, including larger bases and limiting the pitcher to three pickoff throws to first base. Those rules were adopted for the 2022 season.
Under the old rules, Ohtani’s high was 26 steals for the Angels in 2021 when he also set his previous career high for homers with 46. Last year, he had 44 homers and 20 stolen bases when steals were up around MLB by 41%.
Ohtani seems to be on his way to winning his third regular season MVP award and second in a row. He was MVP of the AL last season, his last of six with the Los Angeles Angels.
“Ohtani is a unique talent in the history of baseball and by achieving the status of being the first player to hit 50 homers and steal 50 bases he will cement his place as a one-of-a-kind unique talent,” Goldin said.
(This story has been updated to reflect Ohtani’s final stats from Thursday.)
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