Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, two-time MLB MVP, announced this Saturday his signing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for one of the largest contracts in the history of sports. “I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team,” Ohtani said in a message on his Instagram account that ends weeks of speculation about his future.
The Japanese, a player with a unique talent for hitting and throwing, thus leaves the Los Angeles Angels for a contract that, according to journalistic reports, will provide him with around 700 million dollars for 10 years.
Ohtani, 29, was the most coveted free agent in recent seasons in the Big Frees and his name was associated with teams like the Toronto Blue Jays or the Texas Rangers, current champions.
Finally, the Japanese chose to remain in Los Angeles (California), changing the uniform of the Angels, the franchise with which he entered the Major Leagues in 2018, for that of the popular Dodgers, whose last title was in 2020.
“To all the fans and everyone involved in the world of baseball, I apologize for taking so long to make a decision,” Ohtani wrote.
“I am committed to always doing the best for the team and to continue giving everything to be the best version of myself,” he said. “Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive not only for the Dodgers, but for the world of baseball.”
American media reported that Ohtani’s contract would amount to $700 million over 10 years, becoming the largest in the history of this sport.
Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, said in a statement that the Dodgers had given Ohtani a “unique historic contract, for a unique historic player.”
“Shohei is thrilled to be a part of the Dodgers organization,” Balelo said. “He is excited to begin this partnership.”
Ohtani has been one of the great sensations of North American baseball since he landed in the league in 2018, with his almost unheard-of combination of elite pitching and hitting prowess that earned him comparisons to Babe Ruth.
Although his talent was never enough to qualify the Angels for the playoffs, Ohtani has not stopped hoarding statistics and awards.
The Japanese is the only player to win two MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards unanimously, in 2021 and this past season in the American League.
The Angels star had another extraordinary season despite not being able to finish the year due to a right elbow injury suffered in August and another to his right oblique in September.
Ohtani accumulated 44 home runs, 20 stolen bases and 95 RBIs and also shined on the mound with the lowest hitting percentage against (.184) among all American League pitchers with at least 130 innings pitched.
The Japanese was called to the All-Star Game as a pitcher and designated hitter for the third straight season.
2023-12-09 20:42:54
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