Shohei Ohtani’s free agency was the discuss of baseball over the previous yr as a result of the two-way star possesses skills not seen in a long time.
Ohtani introduced Dec. 9 he would be part of the Los Angeles Dodgers after spending the primary six years of his profession with the Los Angeles Angels, a staff in Orange County.
Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, a deal that was provided to him by different groups.
The San Francisco Giants provided Ohtani an analogous deal, however the Japanese star selected to stay in Southern California.
Newly acquired Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani poses for a photograph as he’s launched at a press convention Dec. 14, 2023, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs)
In response to Giants legend Buster Posey, the state of San Francisco no less than performed a job in Ohtani’s free company resolution.
Whereas Posey advised The Athletic Ohtani by no means expressed any issues concerning the metropolis, “there was some reservation with the state of the city right now” inside Ohtani’s camp.
“Something I think is noteworthy, something that unfortunately keeps popping up from players and even the players’ wives is there’s a bit of an uneasiness with the city itself, as far as the state of the city, with crime, with drugs,” Posey advised The Athletic in a telephone interview.
“Whether that’s all completely fair or not, perception is reality. It’s a frustrating cycle, I think, and not just with baseball. Baseball is secondary to life and the important things in life. But as far as a free-agent pursuit goes, I have seen that it does affect things.”
Former skilled wrestler and Fox Information contributor Tyrus jumped on Outkick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich” and was requested about free brokers doubtlessly avoiding San Francisco because of the state of town.
An exterior view of Oracle Park from McCovey Cove previous to a sport between the Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants June 2, 2023, in San Francisco. (Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs)
“It’s not even just San Francisco. I mean, look what’s happening in Washington D.C.,” Tyrus stated.
“First of all, just driving to work is a battle,” he stated of San Francisco. “The homeless crisis is unbelievable there. If you haven’t been to San Francisco or anywhere near those areas right now, it is literally a walking minefield of human feces. That is not an over-exaggeration.
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“The prison component. … You go to a Walgreens, a tube of toothpaste, it’s a must to get a coupon for it, scan it, and so they’ll mail it to your own home. A profitable skilled sports activities athlete driving a more recent automotive into the stadium each week, you’re gonna have all types of points. Followers aren’t coming to the video games anymore as a result of they don’t really feel secure.”
Ohtani chose Los Angeles, a city with its own issues, but issues that Tyrus says are different from San Francisco’s.
“The factor about LA, Los Angeles is so huge that you may get away from a whole lot of stuff fairly straightforward,” Tyrus said. “And whenever you’re going to Dodger Stadium, it’s extra protected. The homeless are usually extra within the downtown space and extra towards the seaside aspect of issues.
“LeBron James got here to the Lakers for a purpose. The profitable alternatives in LA for somebody like him are unbelievable,” Tyrus added, pointing to the alternatives in Hollywood and LA for celebrities.
Japanese participant Shohei Ohtani takes half in a press convention at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles Dec. 14, 2023. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP through Getty Photographs)
Ohtani’s selection to affix the Dodgers was not the one a part of his resolution that made headlines.
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The small print of Ohtani’s large contract have additionally precipitated a stir.
Ohtani agreed to defer all however $2 million yearly till his contract ends, The Athletic reported. The deferred cash — $68 million yearly — will reportedly be paid with out curiosity from 2034 to 2043.
“I was looking into it, doing some calculations, and I figured if I can defer as much money as I can, that’s gonna help the (collective bargaining tax). That’s gonna help the Dodgers and be able to sign better players and make a better team,” Ohtani stated Thursday. “I felt like that was worth it, and I was willing to go in that direction. That’s why I made that choice.”
The unprecedented deferral of cash will decrease the quantity his contract counts towards the Dodgers’ luxury tax payroll, The Related Press reported over the weekend.
Fox Information’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report
