Shohei Ohtani, Bobby Bonilla, other insane deferred contracts throughout MLB history

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In an unprecedented move, Shohei Ohtani has opted to defer over 97% of his contract until after it expires in 2033.

The two-way superstar inked a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, by far the most ever in North American sports. That is jaw-dropping enough.

But when news broke that Ohtani would defer $680 million of it until after the contract ends, jaws then hit the floor. This means Ohtani will be making just $2 million per year for his never-before-seen baseball talent (we still think he'll be alright off that wage, though).

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Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani talks to members of the Chicago White Sox as they sit in their dugout after hitting a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 28, 2023, in Anaheim, California. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

To be clear, Ohtani will still be a $46 million cap hit to the Dodgers, based on the calculations of the deferred payments, so it's not like the Dodgers are totally fleecing everybody here.

But of course, Ohtani is hardly the first person to ink a deal in which he'll be paid long after the contract is complete. Here are some infamous deferred deals.

The Hall of Famer has not played in the major leagues since 2010, yet he was still the fourth-highest paid Cincinnati Reds player in 2023.

Griffey was traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Reds in 2000, where he signed a nine-year, $116.5 million deal. However, that deal included $57.5 million deferred payments at a 4% interest beginning in 2009.

So, in each year since, the Reds have paid Griffey $3,593,750. Next year will be the final year Griffey