Introduction
Otani Strikes Early in Postseason as Economic Impact of Record Deal Continues to Reshape Baseball LOS ANGELES — Shohei Otani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way superstar, delivered a powerful statement in the opening game of the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason, hitting two critical home runs that underscored both his athletic dominance and the unprecedented financial investment made in him. The performance follows a remarkable regular season in which the Japanese athlete set a new career high with 55 home runs, propelling his team into the playoffs. His continued high-impact play provides a fresh focal point for discussions concerning the staggering $700 million (£575m) contract structure that is fundamentally altering professional sports finance and creating ripple effects throughout the baseball ecosystem. Otani, serving solely as a designated hitter as he completes his recovery from a second elbow surgery, wasted no time in the Wild Card Series opener against the Cincinnati Reds. He opened the scoring with a colossal leadoff home run in the first inning, turning a 100 mph fastball into a 117. 7 mph missile off the bat. His second home run, a 454-foot blast in the sixth, extended the Dodgers’ lead and, according to Statcast, set a new benchmark for the longest home run hit by a Dodgers player in postseason history. The offensive showcase has set the tone for the Dodgers’ title defence, highlighting why the franchise committed to the most lucrative contract in the history of global team sports. “His focus gets more keen and the at-bat quality is better,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said following the victory.
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“That’s the reason why he signed to be with this ballclub, this organization, to play in games like this to showcase his other-worldly talent. ” The 2025 regular season saw the 31-year-old eclipse his own franchise record for home runs, ultimately finishing with 55. This marked his second consecutive season reaching the 50-homer plateau and solidified his status as the only player in Major League history to achieve multiple 50-20 seasons (50 home runs and 20 stolen bases). While he remains in the conversation for a third career Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, the attention has increasingly focused on the unique mechanism of his contract, which has significant economic and governmental implications. The cornerstone of the 10-year, $700 million deal is the radical deferral structure. Otani is scheduled to receive only $2 million of his $70 million annual salary during the first decade of the contract. The remaining $680 million will be paid out between 2034 and 2043, without interest. This arrangement benefits the Dodgers by reducing the annual average value (AAV) used for competitive balance tax (CBT) calculations in the present day, thus allowing them greater flexibility to sign other star players. However, the arrangement offers even more profound financial benefits to the player, particularly concerning taxation.
By deferring the vast majority of his earnings until after the active term of the contract, Otani is theoretically positioned to establish residency in a state or country with a lower income tax rate—or perhaps even zero state income tax—before the deferred payments begin flowing in 2034. George Diemer, a sports economist at Temple University, noted the historic nature of the deal. “The only one that’s really ever been similar is the Bobby Bonilla contract, but this contract trumps that, both in its magnitude and in the percentage that’s backloaded,” Diemer stated. “The competitive balance tax is supposed to combat this type of thing and stop teams from spending too much, but it did not do that in this case. ” This manoeuvre has sparked controversy within California, where the top state income tax rate on high earners is among the highest in the US. A special report by the Center for Jobs and the Economy suggested that the tax deferral could potentially deprive California of nearly $10 million in income tax revenue annually, a substantial sum that affects a state revenue model heavily reliant on its highest-income earners. Beyond the tax implications, the 'Otani Economic Effect' on the broader business of baseball is undeniable. Sales of Los Angeles Dodgers merchandise featuring Otani's name reportedly doubled that of global football icon Lionel Messi's kits in the US market following his signing. Furthermore, the interest generated in his native Japan has led to a surge in international tourism and attendance for Dodgers away games, with road attendance growing significantly above league averages.
Japanese brands have also increased their advertising spend across MLB stadiums where Otani plays, seeking to capitalise on his immense commercial appeal. Looking ahead, while the financial structure continues to be dissected by analysts and tax authorities, attention shifts back to the diamond. With the Dodgers advancing in the postseason, the possibility of Otani’s return to the pitcher's mound looms large. Manager Roberts has indicated the two-way phenom will "probably" make his postseason pitching debut if the Wild Card Series extends to a deciding third game, or early in the subsequent Division Series. Otani represents a confluence of unparalleled athleticism and financial innovation. His ability to dominate both as a hitter and, soon again, a pitcher justifies the colossal sum, while the strategic deferral of that sum marks a potential watershed moment in how elite professional athletes manage and structure their wealth, ensuring that the Otani story will continue to generate headlines both on the field and in the financial pages for decades to come. The player’s multi-homer playoff debut can be reviewed here: Shohei Otani's FIRST-EVER MULTI-HOMER game in the Postseason!. The included YouTube video highlights Otani's exceptional performance in the opening game of the 2025 postseason, a key event covered in this article.
Apr 13, 2023医療記録取得代は、病院によって費用や手数料に違いがありますし、通院や入院が長ければ長いほど、医療記録の枚数が膨大な量になり、それだけ費用がかかります。 ま.
Jul 22, 2025B型肝炎給付金は、B型肝炎ウイルスに感染した方が受けられる金銭的な救済制度です。 最大で3600万円が支給されることから、治療費や生活費の補填だけでなく、将来的.
Aug 22, 2025B型肝炎給付金請求では、申請から給付までに長期間を要する点もデメリットです。 書類収集に時間がかかるうえ、裁判所での和解手続きが1年半以上かかることも珍しく.
Nov 2, 2023B型肝炎給付金を請求したとしても大きなデメリットはありません。 本記事では、給付金請求のメリットや手間の解消法についてご紹介します。
Jan 17, 2023B型肝炎の給付金請求のB型肝炎訴訟を起こす2つのデメリットとは？ その解決方法も合わせて解説のページです。
結論から言えば、以下に挙げるものの他にデメリットはほとんど存在せず、請求をすることによる、給付金受給のメリットの方がはるかに大きいということができます。 給付金請求のた.
B型肝炎の給付金を請求するデメリットは、基本的にありません。 ただし、ご自身で請求手続きをすれば、書類の準備に多大な負担がかかる上、裁判期日に出頭する労力も必要です。
Oct 18, 2024B型肝炎の給付金請求（B型肝炎訴訟）とは、B型肝炎給付金の支給を受けるために、国を相手に国家賠償請求訴訟を提起することをいいます。
B型肝炎訴訟について（救済対象の方に給付金をお支払いします）について紹介しています。
Jun 12, 2025提出書類が多いのが、最大のデメリットかもしれません。 自分で裁判所に出廷する必要は原則ありません。 弁護士が裁判所に行き、和解の手続きが始まります。 国とB型.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide about Shohei Ohtani's New Life in Los Angeles: The Inside Story provides valuable insights and information. Stay tuned for more updates and related content.
