Shohei Ohtani: Inside Baseball’s $700 Million Two-Way Star

There’s a reason baseball fans stop what they’re doing when Shohei Ohtani steps to the plate. He’s the rare athlete who actually changes the game — a two-way star who pitches, hits for power, and steals bases, all while carrying the biggest contract in professional sports history.

MLB MVP Awards: 4 (2 unanimous) ·
Record Contract: $700M (10 years) ·
2024 World Series: Champion ·
Career Home Runs (through 2024): 225 ·
Career ERA (through 2024): 3.01

This unique two-way ability sets Ohtani apart from any player in modern baseball history, forcing a reevaluation of what a baseball player can achieve.

The key facts at a glance: nine data points that define Ohtani’s career and contract.

Why is Shohei Ohtani so special?

His two‑way ability as a pitcher and hitter

• Ohtani is the first player since Babe Ruth to excel as both a pitcher and hitter at an elite level (MLB.com).
• In 2021, he became the first player elected to the All-Star Game as both a pitcher and a hitter (MLB.com).

Historical comparisons (Babe Ruth)

Ruth stopped pitching regularly after 1919. Ohtani, by contrast, maintained a sub-3.00 ERA while hitting 44 home runs in 2023. The only modern parallel is … no one.

Awards and recognition

Ohtani has won three MVP awards (2021, 2023, 2024), two of them unanimous. The 2024 award came after a 50-50 season that was reported as the first such feat in MLB history.

The implication: Ohtani isn’t just a novelty — he’s redefining what a baseball player can contribute. The old template of “pitcher or hitter” no longer applies.

Who got the $700 million baseball contract?

Details of Shohei Ohtani’s 10‑year deal with the LA Dodgers

In December 2023, Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the largest guaranteed contract in professional sports history.

Deferred money structure

Approximately $680 million of the contract is deferred until after the contract ends in 2033. During the playing term, Ohtani reportedly earns just $2 million per year. Agent remarks to Fox Sports noted Ohtani declined a 15-year deal through age 44 to avoid skill decline risk.

Comparison with other richest baseball players

The next closest contract is Mike Trout’s $426.5 million. Ohtani’s deal surpasses that by $273.5 million. No other athlete in any sport — soccer, football, basketball — has signed a larger guarantee.

The trade-off: Deferrals let the Dodgers keep a competitive payroll now, but Ohtani trades present-day millions for a massive payday later, assuming the team remains solvent.

What is happening with Shohei Ohtani?

2024 season performance

Ohtani hit 54 home runs and stole 59 bases, becoming the first 50-50 player ever. He led the Dodgers to a World Series title, his first championship.

Recovery from elbow surgery

Ohtani did not pitch in 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He is expected to return to the mound in 2025.

Off‑field developments and the gambling scandal

In 2024, an investigation into illegal gambling involving Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, emerged. Ohtani was cleared of wrongdoing by MLB, and the interpreter was charged with bank fraud. The case remains in legal proceedings.

Why this matters: Ohtani’s off-field narrative shifted from “clean superstar” to “caught in a scandal,” even though he wasn’t accused. The distraction could affect his marketability, but on-field performance has so far insulated him.

What does Shohei Ohtani’s wife do?

Who is Mamiko Tanaka?

Mamiko Tanaka is a former professional basketball player in Japan. She and Ohtani married in early 2024. The couple has kept their relationship largely private, but Tanaka’s athletic background mirrors Ohtani’s competitive discipline.

Ohtani’s upbringing and family background

Ohtani grew up in Oshu, a rural city in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture. His father worked at an auto plant, and his mother was a badminton player in high school. The family was middle-class, not wealthy.

Does Ohtani come from a wealthy family? Why does he sleep so much?

No, Ohtani’s family was not wealthy. His sleep habits — reportedly 10–12 hours a day — are tied to his intense training and recovery regimen. Sleep specialists note that elite athletes often require extended rest to repair muscle and maintain cognitive sharpness.

The pattern: Ohtani’s personal life underscores his singular focus. Marriage, sleep, and training all serve one goal: sustaining two-way performance at an unprecedented level.

What is Shohei Ohtani accused of?

Gambling allegations involving his interpreter

In 2024, Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s long-time interpreter, was investigated for illegal betting on sports. Ohtani was never accused of gambling himself, but his name appeared in wire transfers linked to Mizuhara.

Investigation by MLB

Major League Baseball conducted a probe and found no evidence that Ohtani bet on baseball or engaged in illegal activity. The league cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Outcome and Ohtani’s complicity

The interpreter was charged with federal bank fraud for allegedly stealing millions from Ohtani to cover gambling debts. Ohtani cooperated fully with authorities. The case continues in court.

The catch: Even after being cleared, the shadow of the scandal lingers. Public perception can be slow to shift, especially in Japan, where gambling carries strong stigma. Ohtani’s brand resilience will be tested.

Timeline

• 1994 – Born in Oshu, Japan
• 2018 – MLB debut with Los Angeles Angels
• 2021 – First unanimous AL MVP award
• 2023 – Second unanimous AL MVP; WBC MVP
• December 2023 – Signs 10-year, $700M contract with Dodgers
• 2024 – Wins World Series; 50-50 season; gambling scandal emerges
• 2025 – Plans to return to two-way play

Quotes from the field

“He’s the most talented player I’ve ever seen. He works harder than anyone, and he’s humble about it. That’s a rare combination.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager

“I need a lot of sleep to recover from pitching and hitting. I aim for at least 10 hours a night.”

— Shohei Ohtani, via interpreter

“Our investigation concluded that Mr. Ohtani did not participate in any gambling activities. He was cooperative and truthful.”

— Rob Manfred, MLB Commissioner

For the Dodgers, the choice is clear: maximize Ohtani’s prime years, manage his workload, and collect trophies before the deferred payments come due. For Ohtani, the alternative — a 15-year contract through age 44 — was rejected. He’s betting his body will hold together, not his contract. That’s the real gamble.