Even though he hasn't played in MLB for over a decade, Manny Ramirez is still cashing in a hefty paycheck, earning more than the current superstar, Shohei Ohtani. Believe it or not, the former Boston Red Sox slugger will be raking more dough than Ohtani during the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. Despite not stepping up to the plate since 2011, Ramirez is set to take home $2,033,628, thanks to deferred payments from his earlier contract.
The Red Sox owe this amount to Ramirez as part of a $32 million deal spread out until the 2025 season. Come July 1, 2025, the legendary slugger will receive his final payment from the Boston organization, cleaning the slate entirely. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani will pocket $2 million annually from the Dodgers, totalling $68 million through deferred payments until 2043.
On the other hand, Trevor Bauer has taken to social media asserting his place as one of baseball's most popular figures. Sitting down in front of his camera, Bauer claimed he is second only to Ohtani, not for awards like All-Star spots or Cy Young accolades, but for daily streaming views. It has been over two years since the controversial pitcher donned an MLB jersey, yet his career remains under the spotlight.
Now playing overseas and continuously creating buzz, Bauer’s career seems to be on an unexpected rollercoaster. Questions linger: Can this newfound fame lead to his comeback? Or has his exile solidified his place outside MLB? Once celebrated for his talent, Bauer won the NL Cy Young Award with the Cincinnati Reds, boasting impressive statistics like a 1.73 ERA and 100 strikeouts over 73 innings during the 2020 season.
Following this success, he landed a lucrative three-year, $102 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But his life spiraled with legal battles resulting from severe allegations, earning him the dubious honor of a record 324-game suspension from MLB. An arbitrator later ruled the suspension needed reconsideration and ended up overturning the long ban; nevertheless, no MLB team has picked him up since.
Whether being praised or critiqued, Bauer continues to wield significant influence across social media platforms. He asserts, 'I beat everyone else though, including outdrawing every single MLB team on daily views just on my YouTube channel alone.' His channel has amassed nearly 928K subscribers, showcasing his global reach.
To others, Bauer is still one of baseball’s biggest names, thriving abroad as he finishes up the 2023 season with the Japanese league, maintaining solid statistics—2.76 ERA and 130 strikeouts over 130.2 innings from his latest venture. Meanwhile, “I do not think anyone in America understands how big of a global superstar he is,” Bauer remarked, putting himself on par with Ohtani.
Bauer’s captivating personality and remarkable talent haven’t shielded him from controversy. Many wonder if he could follow the same path as players like Aroldis Chapman, Domingo Germán, or Roberto Osuna, all of whom managed to return to MLB after serving suspensions for domestic violence accusations.
While those players found their way back, Bauer’s road to reintegration remains filled with obstacles rooted deeply within the controversies tied to his past. He’s made countless dubious remarks throughout his career, often leading to friction with teammates and the media, such as: 'The more I’m selfish about how good I am, the more it benefits the team.'
His controversial nature goes beyond the game; multiple intimate relationships and self-proclaimed rules have baffled fans and pundits alike. Bauer’s history includes varied controversial statements, including his views on competitive integrity, drawing criticism for saying, 'Hard to hear them talk about competitive integrity when they have no integrity to begin with.'
Despite these hurdles, his undeniable talent continues drawing interest. He still manages to dominate the game overseas, leaving MLB teams pondering if they should take another chance with him. His social media presence only adds to the dilemma, raising questions about the commercialization of his character.
So, will one of the MLB teams eventually take the plunge and sign Bauer? The answer remains uncertain as the league grapples with its own reputation and the shifting sands of public opinion. Every possible signing will bring with it not only potential accolades but also the team's commitment to facing any backlash.
With Ramirez riding his deferred payments and Bauer juggling his controversial past with modern fame, these contrasting stories highlight the complex interplay of legacy and earnings within MLB. The real takeaway? The business of baseball remains fraught with challenges where talent meets scandal.