When news broke that Shohei Ohtani had signed with the Dodgers for 10 years and $700 million, I was aghast at the price tag. Thus, while I was disappointed that Ohtani would not be a Cub, I was at peace with the outcome. The Dodgers had simply outbid the field. Then news broke that Ohtani was deferring $680 million and that the Cubs had been willing to go up to $500 million over 10 years. After accounting for the difference between current and deferred money, the total value appeared to match or exceed the Dodger’s offer.
Even worse, the massive difference between Illinois and California income tax rates, meant the Cubs’ offer was higher.