Will Shohei Ohtani Make a Similar Sacrifice to His 2017 Deal as He Aims for Ultimate Glory?

After setting Japan on fire, Shohei Ohtani stepped foot into the major leagues back in 2017, looking for a new contract. Along with his signature two-way moves, a fondness for dedication and discipline was instrumental in his rise to stardom from a young age. It is not clear whether his age was the reason why he started his major’s journey with an average team. But his statement of feeling connected to them tells the story of a youngster who got into the sport out of sheer passion, more than anything else.

To many, the price he had to pay for—or rather, was paid for—seemed to be too little compared to the abundance of skills he brought to the Los Angeles Angels. Will he be making a similar move for his 2023 offseason too?

Passion vs. Prosperity: A Tough Call for Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani took up the Los Angeles Angels’ offer when they approached him six years ago. It was not a question of deliberation as much as it was of a choice. All 30 MLB clubs wanted him, with some of them making moves way before the Halos did. Shotime chose Anaheim for the leeway they were willing to provide for honing his two-way skills.

That is the same reason why he accepted a pre-arbitration signing bonus of $545 thousand in 2018, which was followed by a $2.3 million contract for a year. The following year onwards, Ohtani was earning a salary of $650 thousand–$700 thousand, a staggeringly low amount for a player who would be expected to earn $50 million or more annually four years down the road.

Now that he has gained quite a bit of experience in the majors, how does his future look, keeping in mind the aspects of passion and practice?

Will the shadows of a young past prevail in Shotime’s Saga?

Shohei Ohtani will likely choose a team that will be able to pay him in kind in return for his two-way gifts. Any team that can provide him with a well-functioning player development facility and room to be flexible in his pitches and hits that can likely secure his loyalty for a long time to come will be a good fit. Remuneration, as usual, will likely not be a major factor.

Read More: Years Before His 2 Unanimous MVP’s, Shohei Ohtani Cherished a Landmark Moment He Will Never Forget

Be it the East Coast or West, $500 million or more, pitching in 2025 or after, Shohei Ohtani will shine wherever he lands next.

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