ANAHEIM – Los Angeles Angels today agreed a $ 8.5 million two-year deal with two-way player Shohei Ohtani. The agreement avoids the arbitration hearing. Ohtani was the only player eligible for unsigned refereeing in the Angels’ 40-man roster.
Ohtani, 26, appeared in 254 games as a three-season hitter with the Angels and compiled 47 doubles, seven triples, 47 home runs, 147 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. In 2018, he made 10 starts as a pitcher, reaching 4-2 with an ERA of 3.31 (51.2 INN – 19 runs allowed) and 66 shots on the way to winning the American League Rookie of the Year award.
The native of Ōshū, Japan, originally signed with the Angels on December 9, 2017 after five seasons with the Nippon-Ham fighters from the Pacific League in Japan.