MLB insider Bob Nightengale recently suggested that Juan Soto might not secure a monumental 15-year, $765 million contract this offseason, particularly if Shohei Ohtani were also available in free agency.
Nightengale highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers’ strategic foresight in signing Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract last offseason, emphasizing that the deal, especially with deferred payments, appears to be an incredible bargain. Speaking during an interview, he explained how the contract’s impact extends beyond Ohtani’s performance on the field.
“Yeah, I mean, it was still a good deal last year, especially with the deferred money,” he noted. “But now, when you consider how much revenue he brought to the Dodgers and his impact as a player, both on the field and in the clubhouse, the contract looks like an absolute steal. Both sides are happy—he’s earning more off the field than any baseball player in history, had a historic season, and now he’s going to start pitching. But let’s be honest—you’d rather have Shohei Ohtani at that contract. Between Ohtani and Soto, you’d take Ohtani in a heartbeat. Nobody would take Soto.”
Ohtani’s presence has significantly boosted the Dodgers’ revenue. According to a report, advertising on the outfield wall of the Dodgers’ stadium has skyrocketed to $6.5 million this year, compared to $500,000 in 2023. Despite earning only $2 million in salary this season, due to the deferred nature of his contract, Ohtani has brought immense value to the organization through endorsements, sponsorships, and increased fan engagement.
When asked if Ohtani’s deal could be considered the best in MLB history, Nightengale pointed out that this topic has been widely debated among scouts and executives. He compared it to other notable contracts in baseball history, such as Barry Bonds’ $45–46 million deal with the San Francisco Giants and Greg Maddux’s four-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, during which the team won the World Series and consistently made the playoffs.
However, Nightengale singled out Randy Johnson’s four-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks as perhaps the greatest. During that span, Johnson won four Cy Young Awards and helped the team secure a World Series title. Nevertheless, Nightengale acknowledged that if the Dodgers manage to win three or four World Series titles with Ohtani, his contract would undoubtedly enter the conversation as one of the best deals ever.
The Dodgers are reaping substantial rewards from their association with Ohtani, who continues to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest players in MLB history.