Shohei Ohtani Shares 2026 Salary Figure With Manny Ramirez

Shohei Ohtani will receive a $2 million salary for the 2026 season, the same amount the Boston Red Sox are still obligated to pay retired slugger Manny Ramirez in that year. The parallel, revealed in a recent NESN report, underscores how both clubs use deferred money to manage massive contracts.

Why are the Dodgers and Red Sox paying the same amount?

The Dodgers’ agreement with Ohtani includes a large portion of his $650 million deal spread out over decades, meaning the $2 million slated for 2026 is just a small slice of a long-term payout plan. Boston’s commitment to Ramirez stems from a deferred clause in the contract he signed before the 2001 season; the final $2 million will be disbursed in 2026, six years after he retired.

How does this affect Ohtani’s financial picture?

Ohtani’s contract is built on front-loading his on-field earnings while pushing the bulk of the money into future years. By 2026, he will still be an active player, but the $2 million represents a modest paycheck compared with the millions he already collected. The deferred structure lets the Dodgers keep annual payroll flexible while guaranteeing the Japanese star a steady income long after his playing days end.

What does the comparison mean for the Red Sox?

Boston’s lingering payment to Ramirez is a reminder that deferred deals can linger for decades. The $2 million due in 2026 is a footnote in the Red Sox’s broader payroll strategy, but it also highlights how teams honor past commitments. Ramirez helped break the "Curse of the Bambino" in 2004, and the club still respects that legacy by fulfilling the final installment.

Does this salary parity change anything on the field?

Neither player will see the $2 million directly affect their 2026 performance. Ohtani will still be pitching and hitting for the Dodgers, while Ramirez remains retired. The similarity is purely financial, illustrating how MLB contracts can create odd coincidences across eras. Fans might chuckle at the notion of a retired hitter and a two-way superstar sharing the same paycheck figure.

What’s next for Ohtani’s contract?

The Dodgers expect the bulk of Ohtani’s earnings to continue rolling out well into the 2030s. As the contract matures, the team will balance Ohtani’s on-field value with the long-term financial commitments that come with a deal of this size. For now, the $2 million figure serves as a quirky benchmark rather than a turning point.

How common are deferred contracts in MLB?

Only a handful of the league’s biggest deals use deferral, but they’re becoming more popular as teams look to smooth out payroll spikes. Ohtani’s contract and Ramirez’s lingering payment are two high-profile examples that show the strategy can span both ends of a player’s career.

Bottom line

On paper, Shohei Ohtani’s 2026 salary matches the $2 million the Red Sox will still owe Manny Ramirez that same year. The coincidence highlights the growing use of deferred money in MLB contracts, a tool that lets clubs manage today’s roster while honoring long-term financial promises.