Surprise, surprise. Angels land Ohtani

As many “experts” expected he would sign with a big name West Coast team like the Giants or the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani has decided to sign with the Los Angeles Angels. And with that many big name teams are missing out.

Many clubs courted the two-way Japanese star. Those who could afford him were sent a questionnaire that had to be sent back to him. Earlier this week, the team that many expected the frontrunners, the Yankees, was informed Ohtani would not sign with them. The Yankees even did not get to meet him. The Angels, the Giants, the Mariners, the Cubs, the Rangers and the Dodgers all met him and gave their best to persuade him to sign with them.

Looking to the distance between Japan and the city and the time zone, Seattle was also an important candidate. Even the Rangers made a push to land him, but according to his agent Nez Baleo, Ohtani wasn’t interested in big markets or time zones, what mattered to him was the bond he felt with the Angels. “He sees this as the best environment to develop and reach the next level and attain his career goals.”

Ohtani’s 2017 season was cut short due to an ankle injury. After his return with the Nippon Ham Fighters, he hit .332 with eight home runs, sixteen doubles, and a triple.
In five starts Ohtani posted a 3-2 record with an ERA of 3.20 which did not come close to the ERA of 1.86 he posted in 2016.

With 23 years, Ohtani is the youngest Japanese player that has been posted by his team.

Baleo stated when he announced the news: “He (Ohtani) read every page of every presentation and listened to every word in each meeting, and he was so impressed that it was not an easy choice. While there has been much speculation about what would drive Shohei’s decision, what mattered to him most was that he felt a true bond with the Angels.”