Angels Ultimately Decided Not to Match Dodgers $700 Million Offer to Shohei Ohtani
This off-season, the Ohtani sweepstakes is full of several turns and twists. However, one particular shocker that MLB fans may not be aware of; is just how much of a shot the Angels had to secure Shohei for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, owner Arte Moreno and the Angels ultimately decided not to match Dodgers $700 Million offer to Shohei Ohtani.
How wild. Yet, not too surprising to many Halos fans. For awhile now, the Angels fanbase is highly suggestive of Arte selling his team.
Fans are not too happy with the product on the field; despite the roster including two of best players in modern day baseball history. Both Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout respectively. However, those in support of the Angels want to reach the playoffs. They want to see the team win a championship.
Therefore, more needs to be done. The lineup needs more rounding out. Nonetheless, the Angels are showing signs of trying . This offseason they have brought in Ron Washington to manage. A guy with some 50 years of baseball experience and no stranger to the playoffs or World Series.
Yet, even with these moves, fans are not happy to see Ohtani leave for a team. Much less be happy about his departure without trading him first for some prospects. Therefore, how close did the Angels come to keeping Shohei in red?
Angels Ultimately Decided Not to Match Dodgers $700 Million Offer to Shohei Ohtani
Jack Harris, a beat writer for the Los Angeles Dodgers for the LA Times reveals some intel into this contract situation. Regarding negotiations Harris states,
Sources: Arte Moreno and the Angels failed to match Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract offer with the Dodgers — even after Ohtani’s camp tried to continue negotiations late into his free agency
‘The Angels had every opportunity.’
Should be noted: Even if the Angels met the offer (like the Giants did, when Ohtani’s camp presented it to them). It’s unknown whether he would have stayed in Anaheim, or still jumped to the Dodgers.
However, it seems Ohtani didn’t completely eliminate the Angels from contention until the end
His agent, Nez Balelo, said he “made sure that I kept in touch with them” throughout the process, and that “we felt that they earned the right to at least have a discussion at the end.”
Angels Do Not Match the Dodgers $700 Million Deal for Ohtani
Sam Blum, a sports writer for The Athletic is also able to confirm Harris’ story in regards to the Angels’ negotiations with Ohtani. Blum says,
Can confirm, per source, that the Angels/owner Arte Moreno decided not to match the Dodgers’ 10-year/700-million contract offer for Shohei Ohtani.
His agent, Nez Balelo, said the Angels had “every opportunity” in negotiations.
First reported by Halos beat legend, by Jack Harris.
Here’s the full transcript of what Shohei Ohtani’s agent Nez Balelo said regarding their negotiations with the Angels.
‘The Angels had every opportunity.’
The Angels deserve to have their say about how this went down, and why they couldn’t reach an agreement. That said, I’m reminded of what Arte Moreno said about Shohei Ohtani this spring.
‘He’s arguably the most unique player. Probably one of the top five or 10 players.’
Nez Balelo said they went back to the Angels at the end of the process, and wanted to give them an opportunity at the end. He declined to say if money was the difference.”
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