Angels bid Ohtani welcome, plot two-way course for him
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani was formally introduced by the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday after they won the fierce baseballwide competition for the services of the two-way Japanese star.
A loud crowd of fans at Angel Stadium cheered when Ohtani donned a red jersey and hat on a stage with Angels owner Arte Moreno, general manager Billy Eppler and manager Mike Scioscia.
Eppler confirmed the Angels intend to allow Ohtani to become the majors’ most significant two-way player since Babe Ruth was finishing his Red Sox tenure in 1919.
“I’m honored to be compared to Babe Ruth, but in no way do I think I’m at his level,” Ohtani said via an intepreter.
The 23-year-old righthander will be the Angels’ DH on many days when he isn’t serving as a starting pitcher, Scioscia said.
In landing Ohtani, the Angels prevailed over six other finalists — the Rangers, Mariners, Padres, Dodgers, Giants and Cubs — he designated.
“There are obviously a lot of teams who were counting on me, and I would like to say thank you to all those teams as well,” he said. “I felt a strong connection with the Angels, and that was pretty much the biggest reason why I decided to sign with the Angels.”
Ohtani thrilled the fans when he said he’d love to get his first victory and homer in the same game.
Odds and ends
A person with direct knowledge of the deal said the Rangers have signed free-agent shortstop Yenci Pena, one of the players taken from the Braves as punishment for circumventing international signing rules. Pena is from the Dominican Republic and was among 13 prospects the Braves lost when former GM John Coppolella was banned for life by MLB last month. … Catcher Chris Iannetta and the Rockies agreed to an $8.5 million, twoyear contract. Colorado has a $4.25 million option for 2020, and that year’s salary would become guaranteed if he has 220 starts at catcher in 2018-19 combined and is healthy. Iannetta, who was drafted by the Rockies in 2004 and spent six seasons with them, hit .254 with Arizona last year.