Shohei Ohtani has garnered the honor of being called the world’s best baseball player, and for good reason. Famous for his unique two-way skill set, the man is the only of his kind in this century. It makes sense why fans love to call him a unicorn; the slugger is as much of a myth as he is a legend. Unfortunately, his much-loved play style came to a halt this season when he underwent another elbow surgery. Recently made available in the MLB free agency market, Ohtani is all set to conquer the leading throne with his next team, but with a bit of $500M doubt.

The temporary inability for Ohtani to pitch for at least a season does introduce a layer of complexity to the evaluation of his overall performance and, consequently, his potential contract negotiations. The short-term impact of Ohtani’s pitching hiatus could lead to a reevaluation of contract terms, potentially resulting in a more cautious and flexible approach from teams in the negotiation process.

Short-term vs. long-term: what does Shohei Ohtani’s contract future look like?

Ohtani has been predicted to receive the biggest deal in the history of baseball by MLB analysts and reporters alike. The result will sum up to around $500 to $600 million. Given his recent recovery from an injury that his doctor strictly asked him not to pitch with, Ohtani will have no choice but to play hitter for the upcoming season. He has to let his arms heal before he can use them to throw a pitch, or he will risk another serious injury. The team that will finally get the chance to invest in him will be in the gains, either way. They will have Ohtani to adorn their dugout, along with a bright 2025 etched on the horizon. One question remains, despite all the good things. Will Ohtani’s injury cost him years off his contract?

Shotime has been predicted to receive a minimum of $500 million for a 10-year run. Now, if he chooses to go to a team with a temporary future in mind based on both his and the team’s agreement, he can easily opt for approx. $73 million 2-year deal with them per The Athletic’s prediction. Once he gets back in his ever-perfect form, the deal can then be extended or even increased, depending on Ohtani’s guaranteed contributions and the team’s willingness to keep Shotime on the team. What will make a club choose Ohtani for his temporary one-way stint?

Read More: MLB Insider Believes in Shohei Ohtani’s Most Comfortable Team, Despite Bigger Markets Dominating $500M Sweepstakes

Despite being able to just hit this season, one thing can be said for certain: Ohtani will deliver; his performances are set in stone as one of the most consistent ones in the history of MLB. Just this season alone, he racked up a good 44 home runs and struck out 167 on the pitch. Whatever obstacles are on his path, the fan favorite Shotime will overcome them in no time. Here’s to a bright future for Shohei Ohtani!

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