Shohei Ohtani D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Angels release statement on Shohei Ohtani leaving for Dodgers

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Dec 11, 2023 10:23 PM ET

The Los Angeles Angels no longer employ reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani. The team released a statement Monday on Ohtani’s departure.

Ohtani broke an MLB record — and the internet — when he announced Saturday that he was agreeing to a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. More details on the groundbreaking deal, including its massive deferrals, can be found here.

On Monday, the Angels’ official X account expressed the team’s gratitude for Ohtani’s six years in Anaheim. The Angels also wished Ohtani the best as he moves to a Dodger team that plays just 30 miles away.

“Shohei Ohtani is a generational player and it was an honor to watch him make history throughout the six seasons he spent in an Angels uniform,” the Angels’ statement read.

“We feel extremely fortunate that Angels fans were able to witness him redefine what is possible in our sport.”

An official statement from the Angels: pic.twitter.com/XGYjzTpfI2

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) December 12, 2023

There were a few seemingly perilous moments during the Dodgers’ pursuit of Ohtani in free agency. But perhaps there were always hints that pointed to Ohtani’s interest in signing with the Dodgers.

Ohtani played in six seasons with the Angels. The Japanese two-way star batted .274 with 681 hits, 437 RBI, and 171 home runs across 701 games played as a batter. As a pitcher, Ohtani had a 38-19 record with a 3.01 ERA over 86 starts.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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