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.
