In surprise move, Ohtani decides to fly with Angels
Marlins slugger Stanton spurns Giants, Cardinals in MVP sweepstakes
Shohei Ohtani has decided he’s 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 in a surprising destination.
Ohtani, who intends to be both a starting pitcher and an everyday power hitter, turned down interest from every other big-league club to join two-time MVP Mike Trout and slugger Albert Pujols with the Angels, who are coming off their second consecutive losing season and haven’t won a playoff game since 2009.
The Angels’ combination of a promising 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 North America as one of the most coveted free agents in years.
Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, issued a statement Friday announcing the decision after meeting with several finalists for his services earlier in the week.
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.”
After his unusual courtship, Ohtani will attempt to chart a unique career path as the majors’ first regular two-way player in several decades. Ohtani already has drawn numerous comparisons to Babe Ruth, who excelled as a hitter and a pitcher early in his Hall of Fame career.
Ohtani is expected to be both a right-handed starting pitcher and a left-handed designated hitter for the Angels, who are expected to give him ample playing time in both roles.
Many baseball observers have long assumed Ohtani would choose a higher-profile franchise such as the Yankees or Dodgers, who would have both welcomed him into their rotation and lineup. He received serious attention from Seattle and Texas, who both could have given him more money than the Angels.
Ohtani listened to his suitors’ final pitches in Los Angeles before choosing the Angels, who play about 28 miles from downtown LA in laidback Orange County. Most of the Angels live in coastal Newport Beach and enjoy a comfortable, warmweather lifestyle with ample big-market media attention, but without the withering scrutiny of other top destinations.
Yet Angels general manager Billy Eppler is very serious about winning, and he has spent several years scouting Ohtani, ever since his previous job with the Yankees.
“We are honored Shohei Ohtani has decided to join the Angels organization,” the franchise said in a brief statement. “We felt a unique connectivity with him throughout the process and are excited he will become an Angel. This is a special time for Angels fans.”
Marlins
STANTON COURTSHIP ONGOING >> Giancarlo Stanton has ruled out the San Francisco Giants. St. Louis, too.
The Giants announced they were no longer in the mix to work out a trade for the Marlins slugger and NL MVP after having reached the parameters of a deal with new Miami CEO Derek Jeter and his team.
The Cardinals also said Stanton had declined to accept a deal to St. Louis.
So, the Stanton sweepstakes continues for now with baseball’s winter meetings set to begin Monday in Orlando, Florida.
Stanton must sign off on any move given the full no-trade clause in his record $325 million, 13-year contract. He is due to make $25 million in 2018 after the 28-year-old outfielder led the majors with 59 home runs and 132 RBIs this season. According to ESPN, Stanton is willing to waive his no-trade clause to the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs and Astros.
In a statement, the Giants say, “Our agreement with the Marlins to acquire Giancarlo Stanton subject to his waiving of the no-trade clause will not move forward and it is our understanding that the Marlins and Stanton are exploring other options.”
San Francisco and St. Louis had been considered among the favorites to acquire Stanton, whose affinity and ties to Los Angeles also made the Dodgers a top destination not to mention their five straight NL West titles and runner-up World Series finish.
The eight-year veteran has never played on a winning team, and Stanton has said he didn’t want to endure another rebuilding of the Miami roster as Jeter works to cut payroll. On Thursday, the Marlins traded second baseman Dee Gordon to Seattle as the Mariners also acquired $1 million in international bonus pool allocation to make what was their unsuccessful push for Ohtani.
On Wednesday, Giants general manager Bobby Evans confirmed on San Francisco’s flagship radio station KNBR that the club reached agreement on a potential trade for Stanton after team executives gathered with the outfielder and his representatives last week.
Giants
FARMHAND BOSTIC SUSPENDED >> Lefthander Drew Bostic was among three minor leaguers who were suspended for drug violations. Bostic was suspended 50 games after testing positive for Ritalinic Acid, a stimulant. He was on Class A Salem-Keizer.