Posted on 12/08/2017 12:51:16 PM PST by nickcarraway
Japanese star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Angels, his agent said on Friday.
In addition to the Angels, Ohtani had met with the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.
"Shohei is humbled and flattered by all the time and effort that so many teams put into their presentations and sincerely thanks them for their professionalism," his agent, Nez Balelo, said in a statement. "In the end, he felt a strong connection with the Angels and believes they can best help him reach his goals in Major League Baseball."
Ohtani was put up for bid last week by the Pacific League's Nippon-Ham Fighters for the maximum $20 million posting fee. The 23-year-old had until 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 22 to agree to a contract with an MLB team.
Ohtani was 42-15 with a 2.52 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in five seasons as a pitcher with Nippon-Ham. He had a .286/.358/.500 line with 48 homers and 166 RBIs in 403 games during that span.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
The Yankees were planning to use him as a DH on his non-pitching days if they had signed him.
As an Angels fan, its hard to get excited. 90% of the FA signings are complete busts.
Here’s hoping this kid is the real deal.
I didn’t even think the Angels were in the mix.
What do the Angels need with a bisexual baseball player?
I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous...
Good move for the Angels. He’ll be playing his age 24 season, and the cost is LOW.
Even with him in their rotation, they need at least one starting pitcher. But Ohtani in a lineup with Trout, Pujols, and Upton could be something to see!
All the benefits of LA, without being in LA.
Mariners had the highest dollar bid.
But when you haven’t been to the play offs in 20 years, it’s not about the money alone.
How could they have the highest dollar bid? MLB rules capped how much he could make to something like $3.5 million/year.
The Angels can play Pujols at first now and let Ohtani dh? What about Cron?, I really like him. I like Cron more than Pujols.
Is that you, Yogi ?
Pujols should retire.
I remember Puljos in St Louis. Before he left people were talking about how his statue would complement Stan Musial’s. He wanted a longer contract than the Cards were willing to give him, so he went to the Angels where he looked to have at least a long future as a DH.
I don’t think it has worked out the way he hoped, at least as far as his performance is concerned—he’s certainly gotten his pay. I don’t think the Cards and Angles have played in interleague play since he’s left. It would be interesting to hear his reception at Bush.
He can get DH at bats.
He can get DH at bats.
In addition to the capped salary, teams also have something called international bonus pool money that they can use to sign international players. The Mariners had the highest amount of bonus pool money.
when Moreno does the hiring.
I’m pretty excited about the way this season is shaping up. Go, Halos!
Two more HRs tonight.
This guy should become the biggest thing in Sports right now.
He’s actually getting me interested in baseball again.
LOL....like Trout?
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