Los Angeles Angels Star Mike Trout & Los Angeles Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani

During the 2023 season, Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout did not want to see his teammate Shohei Ohtani go. Ohtani’s contract was expiring and Trout was doing all he could to keep the two-way phenom with the Halos.

How much Ohtani would make became the talk of the season and eventually the offseason. Everybody was eager to see just how much a team was willing to pay him for his services.

Trout sat down with Mookie Betts on his podcast “On Base,” and took a crack at Ohtani’s potential new contract. However, Trout was not too far off with his prediction.

“I think he’s anywhere between [$500,000,000 and $600,000,000]… That’s a lot of M’s,” said Mike Trout.

That estimate would have given Ohtani the largest contract in MLB history. It would have surpassed Aaron Judge’s contract with the New York Yankees that he signed in December 2022.

To Betts’ excitement, he would later earn that the two-way phenom would be signing with his club. The two sides came to an agreement on a 10-year, $700 million deal.

Mike Trout and Mookie Betts predict how long Shohei Ohtani can remain a two-way player

Los Angeles Dodgers – Shohei Ohtani (Photo via IMAGN)

The Los Angeles Dodgers offered Shohei Ohtani a big contract because of his ability to play both ways. He is the only active player doing this, and he is doing it at an elite level.

Ohtani can be used as an ace, and at the top of the lineup offensively. This can take a toll on him, and Mookie Betts and Mike Trout tried to predict just how long he could sustain this. They say five or six more years.

“That’s tough. I mean, we play every day. Like, especially his level. You know what I’m saying? He’s not just out there just getting some hits and clogging up bases. He’s fast. He’s stealing bases, getting off the mound [and] starting and then leading off the inning” said Betts.

Being a two-way player, especially how Ohtani is, could break him down. He is starting games on the mound, leading off, and stealing as many bags as he possibly can.

Unfortunately, Ohtani could not pitch during the 2024 season. He spent the season recovering from an elbow procedure he had last offseason. However, he is expected to return to the mound this upcoming season, which should excite the Dodgers’ fanbase.