Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Says He’s ‘Fine’ With Aftermath of Angels’ Disinterest: Report

Shohei Ohtani carried on rapidly from the Angels when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason.

For the very first time Tuesday, he will visit his old stomping premises in the visitors’ dugout throughout the routine season.

The feelings will be blended when Ohtani go back to the location that offered him his start in Major League Baseball however he’s “fine” with the reality that the Angels didn’t make him a deal to keep around longer, according to reports Monday.

“In reality, I wasn’t made an offer, so I can’t say,” Ohtani stated after Monday’s 11-6 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. “In reality, I’m doing my best with this team, and I’m doing my best with the goal of winning the World Series. I think I’m fine with that.”

Ahead of his go back to Anaheim tomorrow, asked Shohei Ohtani if he was amazed the Angels didn’t match the $700 million deal he signed with the Dodgers –– and whether he may still be an Angel if they had

His responses in Japanese (h/t @dylanohernandez on translation): pic.twitter.com/Cr85z1ah4S

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) September 3, 2024

The Los Angeles Times initially reported back in December, that the Angels didn’t match the $700 million deal Ohtani and his representative, Nez Balelo of CAA Sports, provided to interested groups at the end of his free-agent sweepstakes.

Ohtani was likewise uncertain about what would have taken place if they did effort to keep in Anaheim.

“Regarding that, nothing in particular,” Ohtani slightly stated about the Angels decreasing to match the Dodgers deal. “I think other teams, including the Dodgers, evaluated me highly. Rather than think about what the Angels did or didn’t do, I’m grateful for the teams that evaluated me highly.”

Ohtani was the face of the Angels franchise throughout his time there. Last year, the Angels were within reach of Wild Card contention, enough to end up being trade due date purchasers.

However, injuries to Mike Trout and a late-season implosion warded off any postseason dreams.

“We were playing really well … It was like, ‘OK, dang, this is a team,’” Randal Grichuk, a previous Angels colleague, remembered. “And then we forgot to pitch, forgot to hit. It fell apart.”

This Dodgers’ designated player is now leading his brand-new group into the playoffs and will get a taste of postseason baseball for the very first time in his MLB profession. He is eagerly anticipating his go back to Angel Stadium and offering the fans the program they are utilized to seeing.

“It’s special to me, and it’s special to play in front of the fans,” Ohtani stated of his upcoming return. “I’d like to do my best.”

Photo Credit: Owen Ziliak/The Republic / U.S.A. TODAY NETWORK

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