​The Red Sox are still paying Manny Ramirez, a fact that many fans find amusing as Boston attempts to push its season in the right direction. In 2026, Ramirez will receive the same contract salary as Shohei Ohtani does with the Los Angeles Dodgers this season. It’s a curious coincidence: Ramirez isn’t even playing in MLB this year, yet his lingering financial obligations persist.
For the 2026 season, Boston will dole out $2 million to Manny Ramirez, marking the final year of deferred money from the deal he signed before the 2001 season. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ top star, Ohtani, will also earn $2 million in salary for 2026, with the majority of his blockbuster contract deferred far into the future. Ohtani’s deferred money will accumulate long after his playing days are over, whereas Ramirez’s deferred payments cease after this year. It’s a reminder that, while not many MLB deals hinge on deferrals, some of the sport’s biggest agreements use this mechanism to spread out financial obligations.
Ramirez’s legacy with Boston is undeniable: his presence helped end the Curse of the Bambino and contributed to the 2004 World Series title. The Dodgers, on the other hand, have already claimed World Series trophies during Ohtani’s early years in Los Angeles, and they’re prepared to manage the deferred payments down the line as part of their broader payroll strategy. The two names sit side by side in a curious 2026 salary comparison: Manny Ramirez, $2 million from the Red Sox; Shohei Ohtani, $2 million from the Dodgers. The contributions anticipated in 2026 aren’t equal in impact, but they are equal in salary, a quirky footnote in a season rich with storytelling.
This week’s Red Sox updates include 2026 game schedules, roster changes, and a complete history of the team’s championship runs, all framed to help fans engage with the club’s ongoing narrative. Whether viewing Ramirez’s deferred payout as a nostalgic nod or a practical financial arrangement, it’s another chapter in Boston’s long history of star power, big deals, and the laughter that comes with baseball’s most enduring quirks.