Japanese star Ohtani, Angels agree on $8.5M deal over 2 years
ANAHEIM, CALIF. — The Los Angeles Angels are far from finished with their effort to unlock Shohei Ohtani’s enormous twoway potential.
Ohtani agreed to a two-year, $8.5-million contract with the Angels on Monday, avoiding arbitration.
He will make $3 million in 2021 and $5.5 million in ’22, and both years are guaranteed.
Ohtani had asked for $3.3 million for the upcoming season, and the Angels had countered with $2.5 million. Instead of going to what would have been a difficult, complicated arbitration hearing because of Ohtani’s two-way talents and the pandemic-shortened season, the sides reached a deal that extends up to his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2023.
“Obviously it’s a unique case,” new Los Angeles general manager Perry Minasian said. “There aren’t any examples of this. But, as we talked, we felt this number lined up over a two-year deal. There’s risk and reward for both sides, but it made sense for them and it made sense for us. We’re ecstatic we could get a deal done.”
Although the Japanese star is coming off a rough season at the plate and on the mound, the Angels remain committed to Ohtani’s potential at both positions. Minasian said he fully expects Ohtani to be a two-way player again this season.
“I think he’s feeling great,” Minasian said. “He’s ready to go. Mentally, physically, he’s definitely put in the work, and what’s pretty impressive is the amount of time and energy this guy puts into his craft. When you combine that with the talent, we feel like he’s going to be a huge part of this club and help us win multiple games in multiple ways. We believe he’s a difference-maker.”
Ohtani earned $259,259 in prorated pay from his $700,000 contract in 2020, but the ’18 American League Rookie of the Year struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery to double duty after serving exclusively as a designated hitter in ’19.
Ohtani batted .190 with seven homers and 24 RBIS in 175 plate appearances as the Angels’ DH, his numbers declining sharply from his first two seasons in the majors.
He also performed poorly in his first two mound starts since ’18, giving up seven runs, three hits and eight walks while getting just five outs. He was subsequently shut down for the season as a pitcher to rest his arm, but Minasian said Ohtani has been working out at full strength this off-season in California and Japan.