Deferred contracts have existed in MLB for decades, with dozens of players across the league currently using them, not just the Los Angeles Dodgers.
https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/dodgers-didnt-sign-shohei-ohtani-build-superteam-mark-walters-loans
https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/dodgers-didnt-sign-shohei-ohtani-build-superteam-mark-walters-loans