Shohei Ohtani rumors: Baseball’s first $500 million man?

We know Shohei Ohtani, the 28-year-old phenom, is one of the most gifted baseball players to ever play the game. Because of that, according to ESPN writer Alden Gonzalez in this article (subscription required), “MLB executives and agents believe Shohei Ohtani may be baseball’s first $500M+ man when he enters free agency.”

A potential $500 million contract is not surprising when you look at Shohei Ohtani’s numbers throughout his five-year MLB career.

In Ohtani’s rookie season, he slashed .285/.361/.564 and an OPS of .925, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 61. Ohtani was also able to show his pitching ability starting 10 games, with a record of 4-2 and an ERA of 3.31. That was good enough for him to earn the AL Rookie of the Year, and his future looked very promising for the Los Angeles Angels organization.

After the 2018 season, Ohtani had to undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and was shut down from pitching for the whole 2019 season. However, that didn’t stop the Angels from using him as a DH in the lineup. Ohtani posted a .286/.343/.505 slash line with 18 home runs and 62 RBI. Unfortunately, Ohtani underwent season-ending surgery in September in his left knee to address a bipartite patella. The 2020 short season wasn’t any better due to COVID-19. Ohtani still wasn’t 100% healthy to pitch, dealing with a right forearm strain and forcing former manager Joe Maddon to shut down Ohtani from pitching.

Fast forwarding into the 2021 season, Ohtani was a menace both on the mound and in the batter’s box. A healthy Ohtani was able to post high-quality pitching numbers, starting 23 games with a record of 9-2 and an ERA of 3.18 and WHIP of 1.090. In the batter’s box, it was obvious he was hitting more for power, posting career-high numbers with 46 home runs, 100 RBI, .372 OBP, .592 SLG, .965 OPS, and an OPS+ of 157. He was able to earn his first All-Star Game appearance and was the starting pitcher for the American League.

As the 2021 season came to an end, Ohtani collected some hardware. He was awarded with his first Silver Slugger and the American League MVP award.

The past season, Ohtani continued to dominate with no significant injuries. He logged one of his best seasons as a starting pitcher with a record of 15-9 and career numbers on the mound, starting 28 games with a 2.33 ERA, 166 IP, 219 strikeouts, 172 ERA+, 1.012 WHIP, and  a K/9 IP of 11.9. He finished fourth in the AL Cy Young race, but had his best overall MLB pitching season. With the bat, he still didn’t disappoint, smashing 34 home runs, 94 RBI, and finished the season with a .273/.356/.519 slash line and a career-high 160 hits. In 2022, he made his second All-Star Game appearance and was runner-up to Aaron Judge for the MVP award.

Through his time with the Angels organization, Ohtani has reached the playoffs zero times. Non-superstar players such as Steve Pearce, Edwin Rios, Guillermo Heredia, and Aledmys Diaz all have postseason experience and collected a World Series ring with their respective teams. Ohtani, on the other hand, can’t make it to the postseason with an injury-riddled Angels squad. Mike Trout has dealt with some injuries, Anthony Rendon can’t stay healthy, and Taylor Ward and Jared Walsh started hot in the 2022 season but were bit by the injury bug.

Ohtani will be 29 when he hits free agency, and he’s positioned to have all 32 MLB teams knocking at his door. Ohtani will be motivated to play for a competitive team that’s already competing in the postseason, and will likely take great pride in becoming the first MLB player to earn a $500 million (or more) contract.

In my opinion, Ohtani will be the first one to set that MLB contract record. Do you think Ohtani deserves $500 million or more? Would you be willing to spend that much on him? Let me hear your thoughts and comments below.