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Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers allows him to choose whether manager Mark Walter or president of baseball Andrew Friedman leaves the organization, according to an official with knowledge of the matter. in the transaction.
The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the terms were not released.
The option is another unique part of Ohtani’s 10-year contract, the richest in baseball history.
The $700 million price includes $680 million in deferred funds, meaning the two-way superstar will be paid just $2 million a year for the next 10 years before getting the rest from the 2034 to 2043.
By giving him the option to leave if the organization changes in the coming years, the decision gives Ohtani security for the length of his deal.
BUYING OVEN: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.
It is believed to be the first time this clause has been included in a player’s contract, an MLB executive told USA TODAY Sports.
The contract states that “if there are specific changes to the Dodger staff, the player may opt out of the contract at the end of the season in which the change occurs.”
Although this contract is a new foundation for a player, it was made by managers. In fact, Joe Maddon was allowed to opt out of his deal with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014 – because Friedman went for the Dodgers.
Ohtani will be welcomed to Dodger Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Andrew Friedman, Mark Walter lead Dodgers
Friedman has been in the front office of the Dodgers since leaving Tampa Bay and the team has made the playoffs every year since then, winning the 2020 World Series. Friedman became the general manager of the Devil Rays at age 28 before the 2006 season and helped assemble a team that reached the World Series in 2008.
Walter is part of the management team that bought the franchise in 2012. The chairman of the club is one of the owners of the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks and Chelsea FC in the Premier League. He owns all six teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, which he helped found and will begin playing in 2024.
