Shohei Ohtani Contract Overview
Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, making it the largest deal in Major League Baseball history. The agreement officially began with the 2024 season after Ohtani joined the Dodgers as a free agent. The contract includes a full no-trade clause, a full no-draft-pick compensation clause, and a player option for the 2033 season. Ohtani's contract by year is structured to provide massive guaranteed money with a front-loaded salary schedule that peaks in the early years of the deal. The total guaranteed value and the team-level salary cap hit are publicly reported by the Dodgers and MLB. For background on the record-setting nature of the deal, see the official Dodgers announcement and MLB reporting on the signing here.
The contract is fully guaranteed, meaning Ohtani is assured of receiving every dollar on the contract regardless of injury, performance, or release. The Dodgers absorb the full luxury tax hit each season, and the deal does not include a trade kicker or a buyout that reduces the guarantee. The contract by year reflects the Dodgers' strategy to secure Ohtani's services long-term while managing the financial commitment through salary-cap accounting and deferred payments structured within the deal's framework. The agreement also includes standard roster and service-time provisions that affect how the contract is classified for luxury tax purposes. The financial terms are consistent with the reporting from the Dodgers and MLB on the official signing here.
Shohei Ohtani Salary by Year
The contract by year salary for Ohtani starts at $2 million for the 2024 season and increases significantly in the following seasons. The 2025 salary jumps to $30 million, and the 2026 salary rises to $35 million, reflecting the front-loaded structure of the deal. By the middle years of the contract, Ohtani's annual salary reaches $68 million, which is among the highest single-season salaries in MLB history. The contract by year salary schedule is designed to align with the Dodgers' projected revenue growth and the expected peak of Ohtani's on-field value. The salary figures are publicly reported by the Dodgers and MLB in the official contract disclosure here.
The later years of the contract by year salary schedule show a gradual increase, with the 2032 salary reaching $68 million and the final guaranteed year, 2033, also set at $68 million. The contract by year salary numbers are fully guaranteed and are not subject to performance bonuses that would change the base salary. The Dodgers' luxury tax liability increases each season as the salary rises, and the team's total payroll commitment is publicly tracked by MLB and financial analysts. The contract by year salary data is consistent with the official team filings and MLB reporting here.
Shohei Ohtani Contract Structure and Terms
Guaranteed Money and Deferred Payments
The contract by year structure includes $700 million in fully guaranteed money, with no performance incentives that can reduce the guarantee. The deal includes deferred payments that allow the Dodgers to manage cash flow while maintaining the full contract value. The deferred structure is part of the contract by year accounting that affects the team's luxury tax status and salary cap reporting. The deferred payment details are disclosed in the official contract filing with MLB