Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking deal with the Dodgers evoked tons of Bobby Bonilla jokes after it was reported there are unprecedented deferrals in the superstar’s contract. Of course, Bonilla, the former Mets outfielder, is more known for his legendary deferred payments than his play on the field at this point.
One of the architects on Bonilla’s deal—one of the longest-running jokes in baseball—couldn’t be happier that Ohtani’s deal distracted from his own blunder.
“I want to clarify reports that the Dodgers consulted with me before giving all of the deferred comp to Shohei Ohtani. They did not,” former Mets general manager Steve Phillips wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. “But I am sure glad they did it, because it takes me off the hook for Bobby Bonilla.
“July 1, 2024 just got way better for me.”
I want to clarify reports that the @Dodgers consulted with me before giving all of the deferred comp to Shohei Ohtani. They did not. But I am sure glad they did it, because it takes me off the hook for Bobby Bonilla. July 1, 2024 just got way better for me.
— Steve Phillips (@StevePhillipsGM) December 11, 2023
Back in 2000, New York agreed to buy out the remaining $5.9 million left on Bonilla’s contract, but instead of paying him the $5.9 million at the time, the Mets agreed to make annual payments of nearly $1.2 million for 25 years starting July 1, 2011, including a negotiated 8% interest. So every July 1 through 2035, Bonilla gets a check for over $1 million—making it Bobby Bonilla Day.
But now, Ohtani’s deal may makes those payments look like child’s play. The deal is reportedly a 10-year contract worth $700 million, but the reigning AL MVP will only make roughly $2 million per season, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Per the report, Ohtani has agreed to defer $680 million of the $700 million deal until after the expiration of the contract. Ohtani will collect just $2 million annually until after the 2033 season, at which point the remaining money will be paid over the course of 10 years, until 2043, without interest.
Shohei Ohtani Day has quite the ring to it.
