Not only has Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers captured media attention within the MLB, but also outside of it. The Dodgers franchise has seen an international surge in brand recognition thanks to a record-setting deal. Japan is the country where this two-way phenomena is most evident since it loves baseball and especially Ohtani.
Given that Michael Jordan is regarded as the NBA GOAT, it is significant that some claim Shohei Ohtani is more popular in Japan than he was in the US during his heyday. Dodgers president and co-owner Stan Kasten mentioned it to USA TODAY Sports while talking about the deal and the team’s brand:
“This is good for baseball, in my opinion,” Kasten remarked. “The Dodger brand is distinct and iconic, and now it’s merged with the equally distinctive and iconic Ohtani brand.
“I’ve been told by Japanese people that Ohtani is more popular there than [Michael] Jordan was.” He is a very remarkable presence. Messi, I’m not sure who you compare him to. His presence is remarkable.”
Even though Kasten wasn’t sure if the Dodgers would be able to sign Ohtani, he consistently believed that they were the ideal team for him:
This seems like the perfect place for Ohtani, in my opinion. It made too much logic, in my opinion. And as soon as we learned about Shohei’s proposal to postpone $680 million of the $700 million, we realized this could work.”
Come Opening Day, we’ll find out if Ohtani and the Dodgers are indeed a match made in heaven.
Hoping for a “historic season” with Shohei Ohtani, Stan Kasten
Expectations are high in Los Angeles because not only is Shohei Ohtani on board, but Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Teoscar Hernandez, and Tyler Glasnow as well. Not only are hopes rising, but the Dodgers’ payroll is projected to reach $310 million by 2024.
This will continue to be a trend going forward since long-term agreements and delayed payments will maintain the high figure.
Speaking with USA TODAY Sports on the expectations for 2024, Stan Kasten pointed out that success isn’t always ensured by a large payroll:
“People need to realize that we are still members of the Dodgers,” Kasten declared. “We aim to have a historic season, and the Dodger franchise is special and historic. Big salaries don’t always translate into success. Everyone is aware of that. Like many other teams, we have had large payrolls in the past and have not succeeded.
“High expectations stem from high payrolls.”
It will be intriguing to watch if the Dodgers can solidify their roster chemistry for Opening Day and have a historic season as Spring Training draws near. Shohei Ohtani’s performance and the team’s will be closely monitored as he won’t be able to pitch in 2024.