Japanese phenom casts lot with Angels
ANAHEIM, CALIF. Shohei Ohtani is on the side of the Angels.
The Japanese two-way star announced Friday he will sign with the Los Angeles Angels, ending the sweepstakes surrounding his move to the majors with a surprising destination.
Ohtani turned down interest from every other big-league club to join two-time MVP Mike Trout with the Angels, a team coming off a second consecutive losing season and one that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2009. But the Angels’ combination of a promising young core and a beautiful West Coast location clearly appealed to the 23-year-old Ohtani, who has confounded baseball experts at almost every step of his move to the majors.
Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, issued a statement Friday announcing Ohtani’s choice over a field of finalists including Seattle and Texas, who could have given him more money. Balelo said the 2016 Japanese MVP “felt a true bond with the Angels. He sees this as the best environment to develop and reach the next level and attain his career goals.”
Ohtani is expected to be both a starting pitcher and a designated hitter for the Angels, who have said he will get ample playing time.
Albert Pujols has largely been a designated hitter for the past two seasons, but the slugger is expected to be healthy enough to play first base more frequently in 2018.
Ohtani was coveted by every team because of his exceptional pitching talent and powerful bat, but also because he represents an extraordinary bargain due to rules around international players.
The Angels will have to pay the US$20 million posting fee to Ohtani’s previous club, the Nippon Ham Fighters, but Ohtani will not be paid a huge salary. Ohtani will sign a minor-league contract and can receive up to US$2,315,000 in international bonus money.
Ohtani, whose fastball has been clocked at 102 m.p.h. but has occasionally struggled with control, is widely thought to be a surefire big-league pitching prospect.