Japanese star Shohei Ohtani is going to sign with the Los Angeles Angels according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.
Ohtani had recently narrowed his choices down to the Angels, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants.
Agent Nez Balelo on Ohtani picking Angels, “What mattered to him most wasn’t market size, time zone or league but that he felt a true bond with the Angels. He sees this as the best environment to develop and reach the next level and attain his career goals.”
The 23-year-old Ohtani hit .332/.403/.540 in 65 games this season and had a 3.20 ERA in 25.1 innings. Thigh and ankle injuries limited his time on the mound in 2017.
The Angels have $2.315 million in international pool money after acquiring $1 million from the Twins on Wednesday night.
