Shohei Ohtani Delivers Record-Shattering Night in Dodgers' Epic World Series Game 3 – Yet Earns Just $2 Million This Year

Shohei Ohtani Delivers Record-Shattering Night in Dodgers' Epic World Series Game 3 – Yet Earns Just $2 Million This Year

Shohei Ohtani turned Game 3 of the 2025 World Series into a personal highlight reel on Tuesday night, powering the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 18-inning thriller over the Toronto Blue Jays. The two-way superstar laced four extra-base hits, including two towering home runs, while reaching base a staggering nine times through a mix of doubles, blasts, and five walks. His solo shot in the third inning off Max Scherzer ignited the Dodger Stadium crowd, and a seventh-inning tiebreaker homer against Seranthony Domínguez kept the momentum alive into the marathon finish. Ohtani's fireworks tied Corey Seager's franchise mark for eight postseason homers this year and made him just the second player ever with four extra-base hits in a World Series game, joining Frank Isbell from 1906.

This explosion capped a postseason where Ohtani has redefined dominance, blending his MVP-caliber bat with whispers of mound returns in Game 4. Fans erupted online, with #OhtaniMagic trending worldwide as clips of his bases-loaded stares and moonshot swings racked up millions of views. Yet amid the glory, a jarring stat emerged: despite three straight unanimous MVP nods and status as baseball's unicorn talent, Ohtani ranks around 29th in base salary among World Series players this season at a modest $2 million. That figure stems from his groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million pact with the Dodgers, signed in December 2023, where he defers a whopping 97% of the cash until after his prime.

The deal's architect? Ohtani himself, who pitched the deferral idea to keep the Dodgers' books flexible for contention runs like this one. As the team eyes a repeat title push, his on-field heroics underscore the contract's genius – turning short-term scrimps into long-term windfalls.

Shohei Ohtani reflects on the game, sporting Dodgers gear during a team event.

Cracking the Code: Ohtani's Deferred Deal and Its Game-Changing Twist

Ohtani's contract defers $68 million annually from 2034 through 2043, leaving him with $2 million a year through 2033 plus bonuses. This setup slashed the deal's net present value to $460 million, per MLB calculations, accounting for the time value of money – the idea that cash in hand today beats promises tomorrow due to earning potential and rising costs.

Tony Clark, executive director of the MLBPA, defended the structure as a vital tool for stars like Ohtani. "I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn,” Clark said, “to suggest that Shohei was a fairly unique player with unique opportunities." He stressed that such deferrals empower athletes to tailor deals without union meddling, blending player rights with team savvy.

For the Dodgers, the perks hit the payroll sweet spot. Deferrals let them allocate just $2 million against the competitive balance tax this year, freeing up over $125 million in real spending power for stars like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. According to analysis reviewed by Finance Monthly, this maneuver helped the Dodgers assemble a $350 million adjusted payroll while keeping upfront commitments around $150 million in 2025 – a 50% efficiency edge that fueled their World Series charge.

Financial advisor Louis Barajas, CEO of International Private Wealth Advisors, highlights the double-edged sword. If higher inflation returns, "the net value of his contract isn't worth as much as he thought," Barajas said. At an average 3% annual inflation, Ohtani's deferred haul could erode by 30% in real buying power over a decade, turning $680 million nominal into roughly $460 million adjusted.

Why Ohtani's Pay Play Reshapes Your Game-Day Wallet and Beyond

This isn't just elite-level chess; it's a blueprint for how superstar pacts ripple into everyday fan life. Deferrals like Ohtani's keep powerhouse teams stacked, boosting win totals and playoff odds – the Dodgers entered the Series as favorites partly thanks to this fiscal wizardry. But the flip side stings: deeper rosters mean pricier tickets and merch, with average World Series resale seats hitting $1,070 this year. One anonymized fan group reported group outings costing 25% more since the Dodgers' spending spree, squeezing family budgets amid stagnant wages.

Endorsements soften the blow for Ohtani, padding his 2025 haul to $102 million off-field from deals with Fanatics and New Balance. Yet for regular folks eyeing similar strategies, the lesson cuts deeper. Deferred compensation – basically postponing pay for later tax perks – mirrors 401(k) rollovers but amps the stakes without interest safeguards.

Here's actionable intel to flip the script: Plug your salary into free IRS-approved tools like the deferred annuity calculator on Fidelity's site, factoring in the Fed's latest 3% inflation outlook for 2025. If you're in a high-tax state like California, defer 10-15% into a Roth IRA conversion ladder now – it could slash your effective rate by 5-7% long-term, echoing Ohtani's $90-100 million state tax dodge if you relocate post-retirement. This move, under-the-radar for most workers, turns deferred dreams into diversified nest eggs without the athlete's risk of franchise fallout.

Ohtani's saga proves baseball's billion-dollar bets aren't immune to real-world math, but smart deferring can level the field for anyone chasing financial freedom.

Shohei Ohtani powers through a pitch, showcasing his legendary two-way skills.

Ohtani Obsessions: What Fans Are Googling Right Now

Why Did Shohei Ohtani Defer $680 Million of His Dodgers Contract?

Ohtani proposed the deferral himself to give the Dodgers payroll room for more talent, prioritizing team success over immediate cash while banking tax breaks for later years.

How Has Ohtani's Game 3 Performance Impacted the 2025 World Series Odds?

His nine bases reached and two homers shifted betting lines, tightening Dodgers' moneyline odds from -150 to -200 favorites and boosting over/under totals by 1.5 runs across major sportsbooks.

What Is Shohei Ohtani's Net Worth in 2025?

Ohtani's net worth stands at $150 million, amassed from MLB salaries, Japanese league earnings, and blockbuster endorsements that dwarf his on-field pay.