Angels News: Shohei Ohtani Posts End of Season Message on Instagram

Sho-time has a message to baseball fans around the world.

Soon to be free agent superstar Shohei Ohtani broke a short radio silence on social media to share his appreciation for the support he received from baseball fans this season. The Angels two-way wunderkind posted a five photo carousel of highlights from his season along with a brief message.

Thank you very much for everyone’s support throughout the season! I will start my rehab here soon and I will do my best to come back stronger than ever. Looking forward to seeing everyone next season!

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A post shared by Shohei Ohtani | 大谷翔平 (@shoheiohtani)

Angels fans are certain to read way too much into that "looking forward to seeing everyone" part, but Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo have made it known that he will test the free agency waters in earnest this offseason.

Despite undergoing an undisclosed reconstructive surgery on his pitching elbow and being unavailable to pitch in 2024, Ohtani still figures to sign a record setting contract this winter. 

While he will not be pitching until 2025, he expects to be fully ready to DH by the time spring training rolls around in February. With whatever club that may be with remains the biggest question in baseball for the upcoming hot stove.

Ohtani figures to bring home his second AL MVP award this offseason and can hang his hat on being the first ever Japanese-born MLB player to lead a league in home runs. He finished with 44 bombs in 135 games this season, 5 more than Rangers' star Adolis Garcia.