Dodgers Stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani Are MLB’s Two Highest-Paid Players

The Los Angeles Dodgers have MLB’s highest-earning players this season in Yoshinobu Yamamoto and none other than Shohei Ohtani.

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Ohtani is the highest-paid player in the big league, despite receiving only $2 million of his salary this year. More than $60 million of his earnings come from endorsements.

Bryce Harper ranks second among the top MLB players in endorsement earnings with $7 million, a staggering deficit from Ohtani.

Ohtani’s endorsements come from a slew of brands, including Fanatics, New Balance, Nishikawa, Seiko Watch, Salesforce, and several others.

The Los Angeles superstar’s off-field earnings are comparable to those of athletes in basketball and soccer.

Ohtani shattered records throughout his first season in Los Angeles. The Dodgers superstar broke another Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.

Ohtani became the franchise leader for extra-base hits in a single season. He surpassed Babe Herman as the record holder.

Herman amassed 94 extra-base hits in 1930.

“The atmosphere here at Dodger Stadium — it’s obviously a historic stadium. And the atmosphere here, it’s different. It feels fresh,” Ohtani told Dodgers Insider. “It’s just kind of a different level. So it is a refreshing feeling when I do go out there and play here.”

Ohtani deferred $680 million of his $700 million, 10-year contract. Not only will the deferral save Ohtani millions in state taxes, but it also gives the Dodgers more flexibility to bolster their roster.

Ohtani’s deferred contact allowed Los Angeles to snag another Japanese superstar.

Yamamoto is the second-best-compensated player this year. More than $50 million of his earnings from his salary. He signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2023. The Dodgers spent millions investing in Yamamoto and right-hander Tyler Glasnow in the offseason.

The Dodgers hoped the pitching duo would lead the franchise in October on the mound. However, things didn’t go according to plan.

Yamamoto and Glasnow both spend extended periods of time on the injured list. Glasnow’s latest injury, an elbow sprain, will prevent him from returning to the Dodgers this season.

Yamamoto returned to the Dodgers with only a few weeks remaining in the season.

The Los Angeles pitching staff in general is nowhere near full form. Glasnow is gone. Rookie pitcher Gavin Stone is a long shot. Veteran southpaw Clayton Kershaw’s status remains uncertain.

The Dodgers still have Jack Flaherty, a key trade deadline addition. Walker Buehler is available, but he hasn’t looked as sharp on the mound of late.

Most of all, the Dodgers are hoping Yamamoto will lead the Dodgers’ postseason pitching efforts.

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