The worst nightmare for Giants fans has been realized.
Shohei Ohtani, the two-way phenom who may be the most talented baseball player of all time, is signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract. Ohtani announced that he’d be joining LA on Instagram on Saturday.
“I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself. Until the last day of my playing career, I want to continue to strive forward not only for the Dodgers but for the baseball world,” Ohtani wrote.
The Giants were reportedly finalists for Ohtani, soon to be 30, and for a time considered co-frontrunners with the Dodgers. In recent days, reports were that the Giants fell out of the top two, and were passed up by the dark horse Blue Jays. The Dodgers were considered the favorites to sign Ohtani from the beginning.
Ohtani is a two-time unanimous MVP and finished fourth in Cy Young voting in 2022. Ohtani will not pitch in 2023 after undergoing a type of Tommy John surgery in September.
His Instagram post included an apology for “taking so long to come to a decision.” He also publicly thanked the Angels and their fans.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years, as well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process,” Ohtani wrote. “Especially to the Angels fans who supported me through all the ups and downs, your guys’ support and cheer meant the world to me. The six years I spent with the Angels will remain etched in my heart forever.”