Angels Release Statement Thanking Shohei Ohtani Following Decision To Join Dodgers

Ohtani will now spend the rest of his career with Los Angeles.

Shortly after it was announced by the Los Angeles Dodgers that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was officially joining them, the Angels put out a statement to thank him for everything.

An official statement from the Angels: pic.twitter.com/XGYjzTpfI2

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) December 12, 2023

Ohtani spent six seasons with the Angels and helped put the team back on the map. He won two unanimous MVP awards while with them and made the team fun to watch.

They gave him a chance to perform his two-way abilities, which sparked the player that he is today. But seeing Ohtani head up the freeway has to sting. Not only for the fans but the franchise itself.

The Angels organization has nobody to blame but themselves for how this all transpired. Ohtani was loyal to the Angels organization, but the goals that he had for himself didn't line up.

この6シーズン本当にありがとう！

Thank you, Shohei, for everything during these past 6 seasons! pic.twitter.com/Hnrhq3yVZx

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) December 12, 2023

He was with the team for six seasons, and they didn't even come close to making the playoffs. While some of that was bad luck, the fact still remains. 

The Angels had a chance to trade Ohtani at the trade deadline, but they decided to double down on trying to make the postseason.

Spoiler alert: they didn't.

All that did was see the Halos give up more of their already limited prospect capital. But they do deserve credit for at least trying to win, so I'll give them that.

Owner Arte Moreno deserves much of the blame for this decision by Ohtani. While he tried to spend with Ohtani on the team, it never amounted to much of anything. 

Now the Angels will get a compensation pick to help aid the loss of possibly the greatest baseball player of all time.

This is a colossal and historic mess up on the part of the Angels organization. They will live with the consequences that are to come from this for years, and all they will be able to do going forward is wonder what could have been.

Hopefully, the front office will learn from this moment and can get the team back to a place of contention.