The main event of the first half of the offseason was Shohei Ohtani’s free agency. The LA Dodgers then made history by signing the two-way sensation to an incredible 10-year, $700 million contract, but one individual was more shocked than shocked.
It was none other than Arte Moreno, the owner of the Los Angeles Angels, who appears to have undervalued Ohtani’s potential in free agency. Moreno didn’t think the former Angels star could land a deal worth more than $500 million, according to SI’s Tom Verducci.
The number “4” more easily fooled him into thinking it was a $400 million contract rather than a $700 million one.
MLB fans voiced their surprise at this and shared their thoughts.
“Frequently wrong, never sure,” a user commented.
Still, there were many who believed Moreno was correct. Ohtani’s 97% deal is postponed until the following ten years, thus Moreno’s $400 million valuation is not out of the question.
Shohei Ohtani gets things going for the Dodgers during his regular season.
Shohei Ohtani’s blockbuster signing has raised expectations for this season, and he lived up to them in his first regular-season game.
The Dodgers’ regular season began at Gocheok Sky Dome versus the San Diego Padres. Against the Padres, Shohei Ohtani had a solid but homerun-free afternoon. Against Yu Darvish, he had two singles, one RBI, and a stolen base in his five-plate performance.
With two RBI apiece, Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman also contributed to the Dodgers’ 5-2 victory. The Dodgers’ opening pitcher, Tyler Glasnow, gave up two runs in five innings before giving up.
Game 2 between the Dodgers and Padres is scheduled for Thursday morning.