Shohei Ohtani Contract: What could a contract for the Japanese superstar look like in free agency?

How does one place a numerical value on a Shohei Ohtani? The Japanese superstar and former American League MVP seemingly sets a new record every time he touches the field. The two-way superstar is truly a unicorn when it comes to baseball players.

"Jeff Passan writes: How to appreciate a unicorn... Ranking the feats that make Ohtani MLB's ultimate unique star," - Buster Olney

An elite pitcher and elite batter, Ohtani ranks among the top of the league in both positions. The league has never seen anyone achieve the level of success that Ohtani has as both a pitcher and batter.

Teams are lining up for the superstar's free agency, which will take place following the 2023 season. However, speculation could be rendered useless if the Los Angeles Angels are able to extend him.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres are already announcing their intentions to go "all in" on signing Ohtani if he hits the open market.

"Arte Moreno calling off the sale of the Angels has made it more unlikely Ohtani stays in Anaheim beyond 2023. “Steve Cohen has already been talking openly to upper level Mets people about going after Ohtani next winter” per @Martinonyc Dodgers, Yankees, others will be in mix," - Starting 9

While every team would love to sign the two-way sensation, the big question is how much Shohei Ohtani can make on the open market. He signed a one-year contract extension with the Angels for $30 million, but rumors have been swirling that the Japanese superstar might reach unprecedented contractual heights.

"The big challenge now for Moreno, 76, is what to do about his 28-year-old superstar, Shohei Ohtani. The most prolific two-way player since Babe Ruth becomes a free agent after the 2023 season and might command a $500 million contract." - Forbes

Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com has toyed with the notion that Ohtani may very well become the MLB's first half-billion-dollar player:

“In 10 months, barring a last-minute extension with the Los Angeles Angels, it’ll be Shohei Ohtani’s turn to venture into the open market. And one number keeps being brought up by the many who have pondered the two-way star’s next contract: $500 million.”

A look at Shohei Ohtani's 2022 campaign

Last season with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani dominated on both sides of the ball. As a pitcher, he produced a 2.33 ERA through 166.0 innings, posting a 15-9 record with 219 strikeouts. His 219 whiffs ranked him sixth in the entire MLB last season, ahead of both Cy Young winners Sandy Alcantara and Justin Verlander.

As a batter, Ohtani hit 34 home runs and 95 RBIs, while recording 11 stolen bases. Throughout his 157 games, the two-way unicorn maintained a .273 batting average. While he lost the American League MVP Award to Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees slugger needed to deliver a historic season to dethrone Shohei Ohtani.