Ohtani wage deferral 'can help Dodgers to success'

Shohei Ohtani says his decision to defer the majority of his record-breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is to help them achieve Major League Baseball success.

Japan's Ohtani, 29, agreed to carry over $680m (£541m) of his $700m (£557m) 10-year deal.

He will take home $2m (£1.6m) per year until 2034 when he will be paid $68m (£54m) per year until 2043.

The arrangement will give the Dodgers more money under MLB salary cap rules.

Speaking on Thursday, Ohtani said: "I was looking into it and doing some calculations and I figured if I can defer as much money as I can and that's going to help the Dodgers be able to sign better players and make a better team, I felt that was worth it and was willing to go that direction.

"They share the same passion as me and have a vision and history all about winning and I have the same values.

"I will face a lot of new challenges as a Dodger and I'm ready for it."

Ohtani joined the Dodgers in the biggest deal in the sport's history after his contract with the Los Angeles Angels expired.

The two-time American League Most Valuable Player, who lifted the trophy with the Angels in 2023, is reported to bring in around $50m (£40m) annually via endorsements and off-the-field ventures.

While he is skilled in both batting and pitching, Ohtani will not be able to pitch for the Dodgers in 2024 after having surgery to repair a torn right elbow ligament in October.

He underwent tendon replacement surgery in 2018 in his right elbow but said this year's operation was "completely different" to the first.

However, Ohtani believes he will "be fully ready" for the Dodgers' 2024 season opener on 20 March when they face the San Diego Padres in the first regular-season MLB game played in South Korea.