2023年11月，美國職棒大聯盟的冬季會議將焦點集中在哪支球隊能夠簽下史上最強的球員之一，大谷翔平。最初的專家分析指向洛杉磯道奇。然而，12月中在大谷在自己的Instagram上正式宣布加盟道奇的前一天，加拿大媒體和一些記者爆料稱大谷將加入多倫多藍鳥隊。有人甚至特地追蹤一架私人專機從加州飛抵多倫多，結果卻是一場大烏龍。

當大谷進入自由球員市場前，他的手臂再次受傷。原先預測的年薪從1800萬到2000萬美元下降到1500萬到1800萬美元。然而，契約金額的宣布再次震驚美國體壇，成為有史以來北美運動員最高的十年7億美金。雖然以年薪來看不及頂尖足球員，但從總金額來看，這已經是短時間內難以被打破的紀錄。

然而，令人驚訝的是，大谷每年只能拿到200萬美元的薪水，還遠低於該隊的新秀捕手。在10年內總共領取2千萬美元，剩餘的6.8億美元將於2034年至2043年支付。這主要是為讓球隊能夠持續補強，而這個想法還是大谷本人主動提出的。他甚至表示可以不領薪水打球，但經紀公司迅速阻止並表示不能免費。

考慮到未來物價上漲，實際上大谷的薪水相當於4.6億美元。然而，這樣的契約設計使得道奇的財政更加靈活，大谷還特別在契約上標註如果總經理或經營團隊換人，契約直接作廢。

就像當年的麥可·喬丹一樣，如果能夠持續贏得冠軍，場外代言的收入就能夠持續增加，用來彌補球場上的金錢損失。以大谷目前每年4500萬美元的廣告代言費來看，轉投豪門球隊道奇後，場外收入應該還會持續上升。只能說大谷的決定充分展現他對於勝利的渴望。

In November 2023, the spotlight of the Major League Baseball (MLB) winter meetings in the United States was on which team could sign one of the greatest players in history, Shohei Ohtani. Initially, expert analyses pointed towards the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, in mid-December, just one day before Ohtani officially announced his joining the Dodgers on his Instagram, Canadian media and some reporters leaked information suggesting Ohtani might join the Toronto Blue Jays. Some even went so far as to track a private jet flying from California to Toronto, resulting in a major misunderstanding.

Before entering the free-agent market, Ohtani suffered another arm injury. The initially projected annual salary of $18-20 million dropped to $15-18 million.

However, the announcement of the contract amount shocked the American sports world, making it the highest-ever ten-year deal for a North American athlete at $700 million. While the annual salary may not compete with top soccer players, the total sum stands as a record that is likely to remain unbroken for a considerable time.

Surprisingly, Ohtani's annual earnings will be limited to just $2 million, significantly lower than the team's rookie catcher. Over the ten years, he will only receive a total of $20 million, with the remaining $680 million scheduled to be paid from 2034 to 2043. This unique arrangement was proposed by Ohtani himself with the aim of enabling the team to continually strengthen. He even expressed a willingness to play without receiving a salary, a notion promptly rejected by his management company.

Considering future inflation, Ohtani's actual salary amounts to $460 million. Nevertheless, this contract design provides the Dodgers with greater financial flexibility, and Ohtani even stipulated in the contract that it could be voided if there is a change in the general manager or ownership.

Similar to Michael Jordan back in the day, continuous championship victories can lead to a steady increase in off-field endorsement income, helping offset any financial losses on the field. With Ohtani's current annual endorsement income of $45 million, a move to the powerhouse Dodgers is expected to further boost his off-field earnings. Ohtani's decision truly reflects his strong desire for success.