Angels: Shohei Ohtani Shares Farewell Message After Move to Dodgers

(Photo : Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - Shohei Ohtani (#17) of the Los Angeles Angels looks on after scoring during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on August 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Shohei Ohtani may be moving to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the two-time AL MVP knows he had many fans while with the Los Angeles Angels.

The 29-year-old had a lot of good memories with the Angels, which helped him build his fan base. Hence, it is only proper that Ohtani bids his followers farewell.

Shohei posted this thank you to fans on his Instagram story pic.twitter.com/Z9Lxrg6f4l
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 11, 2023

"Thank you fans for all of your support," Ohtani wrote on his Instagram story.

It was also through Instagram that Ohtani announced his move to the Dodgers, where he thanked the Angels and the fans for their support.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years, as well as to everyone involved with each team that was part of this negotiation process," Ohtani wrote on Saturday, December 9.

Ohtani defers majority of new contract with Dodgers

Ohtani agreed to a 10-year deal with the Dodgers worth $700 million - the largest contract in sports history, per CBS Sports. However, $680 million of that will be deferred, according to sources.

There are two reasons behind this move. One is to lower team payroll, and the other is to avoid potential tax burden, ESPN reported. Hence, he will be deferring roughly 97% of his earnings.

The same source added that this was also the two-way star's idea. It was his way of helping the Dodgers sign more players that could help the team.