Creating an MLB Superteam With Shohei Ohtani's $70 Million Annual Salary
It's hard to fully grasp the magnitude of $70 million.
That is the annual base value of the record-setting 10-year, $700 million deal that Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Deferred money will drop his 2024 salary to a mere $2 million and his luxury-tax hit to just over $46 million, but it's that massive $70 million annual value of his base contract that has the sports world buzzing.
If you're cost-conscious, you could build an entire team with that much money.
Don't believe me? That's exactly what we've done here.
We've chosen a full 26-man roster consisting of a starter at each of the eight defensive positions, a designated hitter, four bench players, five starting pitchers and eight relief pitchers. It's a star-studded group that could give any team in baseball a run for its money.
The cost: $69,638,333.
1. LF Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 16
2024 Salary: $3,625,000
The Arizona Diamondbacks signed outfielder Corbin Carroll to an eight-year, $111 million extension following a successful 32-game audition as a late-season call-up during the 2022 season.
That immediately looks like a bargain after he hit .285/.362/.506 for a 134 OPS+ with 30 doubles, 10 triples, 25 home runs, 76 RBI, 116 runs scored and 54 steals in a 5.4-WAR season to win NL Rookie of the Year honors unanimously and finish fifth in NL MVP balloting.
The first rookie in MLB history with a 25-homer, 50-steal season is the table-setter for our lineup.
Money Spent: $3,625,000
2. C Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles
2 of 16
2024 Salary: $740,000
Finding a franchise catcher is never easy, but the Baltimore Orioles appear to have done it when they selected Adley Rutschman with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft following a stellar collegiate career at Oregon State.
He became just the fifth catcher in MLB history with a 5-WAR rookie season in 2022, and he cemented his status as one of the game's elite catchers when he followed it up by starting the All-Star Game and winning Silver Slugger honors.
The 25-year-old is a prime candidate for an early extension, but for now he is one of baseball's best bargains as a pre-arbitration star.
Money Spent: $4,365,000
3. RF Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves
3 of 16
2024 Salary: $17,000,000
The biggest splurge on our roster is well worth it after Ronald Acuña Jr. put together a historic MVP campaign for the Atlanta Braves in 2023.
The 25-year-old hit .337/.416/.596 with 35 doubles, 41 home runs, 106 RBI and 73 steals, leading the NL in OPS+ (168), hits (217), runs scored (149) and total bases (373) in an 8.2-WAR campaign.
Early extensions have worked out extremely well for the Atlanta Braves in recent years, and the eight-year, $100 million deal Acuña signed at the start of the 2019 season is one of the best values in the sport and will continue to be for the duration of the contract.
Money Spent: $21,365,000
.png?w=256)
4. DH Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros
4 of 16
2024 Salary: $10,833,333
With a .295/.390/.588 line and 165 OPS+ over five seasons in the big leagues, Yordan Alvarez has done nothing but hit since running away with AL Rookie of the Year honors during the 2019 season.
The 26-year-old has averaged 34 home runs, 99 RBI and 4.8 WAR over the past three seasons, showcasing some of the best pure hitting tools in all of baseball with a smooth left-handed stroke and elite power.
The 2023 season was the start of a six-year, $115 million extension, and the backloaded contract has reasonable salaries for the first three years before jumping up to $26.8 million annually over the final three years.
Money Spent: $32,198,333
5. SS Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
5 of 16
2024 Salary: $740,000
The list of shortstops with a 30/30 season to their credit is a short one.
- Barry Larkin, 1996
- Alex Rodriguez, 1998
- Jimmy Rollins, 2007
- Hanley Ramirez, 2008
- Francisco Lindor, 2023
- Bobby Witt Jr., 2023
Just two years into his MLB career, Witt is quickly living up to being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, and he has already established himself as the face of the franchise for a rebuilding club.
The 23-year-old also took a significant step forward defensively at shortstop after posting poor defensive metrics across the board as a rookie.
Money Spent: $32,938,333
6. 1B Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox
6 of 16
2024 Salary: $740,000
First baseman Triston Casas looks like the next homegrown offensive star for the Boston Red Sox, following in the footsteps of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers.
The 2018 first-round pick got off to a slow start during his rookie season in 2023, but he hit .317/.417/.617 with 15 home runs and 38 RBI in 54 games after the All-Star break to finish third in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
Still only 23 years old, he has the offensive potential to be a franchise building block, and he will not be arbitration-eligible for the first time until after the 2025 season.
Money Spent: $33,678,333
7. 3B Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
7 of 16
2024 Salary: $740,000
In the same draft in which the Baltimore Orioles chose Adley Rutschman with the No. 1 overall pick, they also selected infielder Gunnar Henderson at No. 42 overall, signing him to an above-slot $2.3 million bonus.
The 22-year-old arrived as a regular in the big leagues a year later than Rutschman and made an equally huge impact right out of the gates, splitting his time between shortstop and third base while posting a 125 OPS+ with 66 extra-base hits and 6.2 WAR on his way to unanimous AL Rookie of the Year honors.
With top prospect Jackson Holliday knocking on the door and expected to man shortstop once he arrives, Henderson will likely settle in at the hot corner where his strong 6'3", 220-pound frame and plus power are a natural fit.
Money Spent: $34,418,333
8. 2B Ha-Seong Kim, San Diego Padres
8 of 16
2024 Salary: $7,000,000
After a stellar seven-year run in the KBO, infielder Ha-Seong Kim signed a four-year, $28 million deal with the San DIego Padres prior to the 2021 season, and he has steadily improved during his three years stateside.
The 28-year-old had a 5-WAR season in 2022 largely on the strength of his elite defense, and he took a step forward offensively this year, setting career-high marks in hits (140), home runs (17), RBI (60), runs scored (84), steals (38) and WAR (5.8).
He won his first career Gold Glove and secured a few down-ballot NL MVP votes, and entering the final guaranteed season of his contract, he could play his way to a significant payday next winter.
Money Spent: $41,418,333
9. CF Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves
9 of 16
2024 Salary: $5,000,000
Michael Harris II jumped straight from Double-A to the majors in 2022 and hit .297/.339/.514 for a 133 OPS+ with 49 extra-base hits, 20 steals and 5.3 WAR in 114 games to win NL Rookie of the Year honors.
The Atlanta Braves signed him to an eight-year, $72 million extension before his rookie season ended, getting another up-and-coming star on the books long-term with a team-friendly contract.
The 22-year-old did not quite match his rookie production in 2023, but he still posted a 114 OPS+ with 54 extra-base hits and 20 steals in a 3.4-WAR season while providing quality defense in center field.
Money Spent: $46,418,333
Bench
10 of 16
C Gabriel Moreno, ARI—$740,000
IF Matt McLain, CIN—$740,000
OF Nolan Jones, COL—$740,000
UT Brendan Donovan, STL—$740,000
Catcher Gabriel Moreno capped off a breakout 2023 season by posting a .749 OPS with four home runs and 12 RBI in 17 playoff games during the D-backs' surprise run to the World Series. The 23-year-old is controllable through 2028 and will not be arbitration-eligible for the first time until after the 2025 season.
Matt McLain (129 OPS+, 43 XBH, 14 SB, 3.7 WAR) and Nolan Jones (138 OPS+, 46 XBH, 20 SB, 4.3 WAR) were two of the best rookies in the National League, and their league-minimum salaries fit nicely into this exercise.
Rounding out the bench is Brendan Donovan, who is one of the most versatile players in the majors. The 26-year-old started at least one game at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field and right field, and he posted a 115 OPS+ with 10 doubles, 11 home runs and 34 RBI in 371 plate appearances.
Money Spent: $49,378,333
SP Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants
11 of 16
2024 Salary: $8,000,000
Following a breakout 2021 season, Logan Webb has quickly established himself as one of baseball's best and most durable young starting pitchers.
The 27-year-old finished runner-up to Blake Snell in 2023 NL Cy Young voting, finishing with a 3.25 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 194 strikeouts while leading the majors with 216 innings pitched over 33 starts.
The five-year, $90 million extension he signed in April will begin next season, and the backloaded deal pays him $8 million in 2024, $12 million in 2025 and a combined $70 million over the final three years.
Money Spent: $57,378,333
SP Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves
12 of 16
2024 Salary: $1,000,000
The Atlanta Braves have done a great job locking up their young, homegrown stars on team-friendly deals, and given the ever-climbing price of quality starting pitching, Spencer Strider could end up being the best bargain of the bunch.
The 25-year-old inked a six-year, $75 million shortly after he terrific 2022 rookie season concluded, and that contract pays him just $6 million over the first three years before clocking in at $64 million over the final three years with a $22 million club option and $5 million buyout for 2029.
He finished 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and an MLB-leading 281 strikeouts in 186.2 innings, and while he had a few rocky starts along the way, there is a strong case to be made that he is the most overpowering pitcher in baseball right now when everything is clicking.
Money Spent: $58,378,333
SP George Kirby, Seattle Mariners
13 of 16
2024 Salary: $740,000
With a brilliant 172-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 190.2 innings, George Kirby built off a strong rookie season to finish eighth in AL Cy Young voting and earn the first of what could be several All-Star selections.
The 25-year-old keeps hitters off-balance with a five-pitch repertoire that is headlined by a 96.1 mph fastball, heavy sinker, slider, curveball and a developing splitter that became a more reliable out pitch in 2023.
He has a chance to be the best of the bunch for the Seattle Mariners in a collection of young, homegrown arms that also includes Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo.
Money Spent: $59,118,333
SP Kyle Bradish, Baltimore Orioles
14 of 16
2024 Salary: $740,000
Right-hander Kyle Bradish did little to hint at a breakout season to come during his rookie campaign in 2022 when he posted a 4.90 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 111 strikeouts in 117.2 innings, backing his ERA with a 4.45 FIP.
The 27-year-old took a significant step forward in his second season, finishing 12-7 with a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168 strikeouts in 168.2 innings to finish fourth in AL Cy Young voting and give the Baltimore Orioles a desperately needed staff ace.
With a 2.34 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 14 starts after the All-Star break, he was still trending up as the 2023 season came to a close, and he can solidify his status as a frontline starter with more of the same in 2024.
Money Spent: $59,858,333
SP Tanner Bibee, Cleveland Guardians
15 of 16
2024 Salary: $740,000
Tanner Bibee began the 2023 season as the No. 7 prospect in a deep Cleveland Guardians farm system and No. 86 prospect in baseball, according to Baseball America.
The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in late April and ended up being the best rookie pitcher in the American League, finishing 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 142 innings over 25 starts.
He allowed three or fewer earned runs in each of his final 16 starts, posting a 2.50 ERA and 1.14 WHIP during that stretch to steadily climb the rookie rankings and finish runner-up in AL Rookie of the Year balloting.
Money Spent: $60,598,333
Bullpen
16 of 16
RHP Michael King, SD—$2,600,000
RHP Matt Brash, SEA—$740,000
LHP Tyler Holton, DET—$740,000
RHP Yennier Cano, BAL—$740,000
RHP Bryan Abreu, HOU—$2,000,000
RHP Jhoan Durán, MIN—$740,000
RHP Alexis Díaz, CIN—$740,000
RHP Camlio Doval, SF—$740,000
Right-hander Michael King, who recently went from the Yankees to the Padres in the Juan Soto trade, gives the bullpen a valuable swingman who can fill a variety of roles from late-inning, high-leverage situations to spot starts.
Matt Brash struck out 107 of the 308 batters he faced this season, while Tyler Holton and All-Star Yennier Cano both put together unexpectedly terrific rookie seasons.
Bryan Abreu pitched primarily in a setup role bridging the gap to Houston Astros closer Ryan Pressly, but he was the team's best reliever, posting a 1.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 12.5 K/9 with five saves and 24 holds in 72 appearances.
Rounding out the relief corps is a trio of pre-arbitration closers in Jhoan Durán (27/32 SV, 2.45 ERA, 12.1 K/9), Alexis Díaz (37/40, 3.07 ERA, 11.5 K/9) and Camilo Doval (39/47 SV, 2.93 ERA, 11.6 K/9).
Money Spent: $69,638,333
Note: Arbitration salary projections courtesy of MLB Trade Rumors, while all pre-arbitration players are assumed to be earning the league minimum salary of $740,000 for the upcoming season.
.png?w=480)
