With Opening Day 2025 fast approaching, the Los Angeles Dodgers have already won their first two games of the season and are looking to build on that momentum. Despite an impressive roster displayed during spring training, the Dodgers will rely heavily on their two highest-paid players, with Shohei Ohtani in the lead, as they chase another title. Meanwhile, the New York Mets are counting on Juan Soto to lead their charge this season.
The excitement for the upcoming MLB season is palpable, as fans eagerly anticipate the return of their favorite players after a long wait since October 2024, when the Dodgers clinched the Commissioner’s Trophy by defeating the New York Yankees.
As Opening Day nears, fans are closely watching the statistics, particularly the highest-paid players for the upcoming season. Soto leads the pack after signing a massive contract with the Mets, which will pay him $121.9 million per season.
In second place is Ohtani, who will earn $2 million in salary, along with $100 million in endorsements, making him one of the highest-earning players in MLB. Rounding out the top three is Dodgers‘ ace Blake Snell, who will earn $64.8 million in salary and $750,000 in endorsements this season.
Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets poses for a portrait at Clover Park on February 20, 2025 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Ohtani reflects on playing in the Tokyo Series
As one of the highest-paid players in MLB for 2025, Shohei Ohtani didn’t shy away from expressing his emotions about playing in front of his home country’s fans. With such high expectations placed on him, the Dodgers’ star took a moment to share how he felt about the experience.
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“I was actually pretty nervous. It’s been a while since I felt nervous playing, and today I definitely felt it,” Ohtani said. “It’s a unique environment, a great situation where the fans are expecting me to get some hits, so that was a little different.”
In his five at-bats, Ohtani recorded two hits and drove in two runs during the Dodgers’ season opener against the Cubs. With the crowd chanting his name, the two-way star is eager to take the field again on Wednesday for the second game of the Tokyo Series.
Soto expected to lead off on Opening Day
With Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto expected to lead off, Pete Alonso is projected to bat third. Alonso, a key contributor last season, played in all 162 games, delivering 88 RBIs, 34 home runs, and 695 plate appearances.
Projected Opening Day lineup:
- Francisco Lindor
- Juan Soto
- Pete Alonso
- Mark Vientos (4th/5th)
- Brandon Nimmo (4th/5th)
