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SPORTS Monday 11 deceMber 2017

Angels welcome Ohtani, plot course for 2-way Japanese star

pler rose from his seat in in front of Angel Stadium ment with the Angels is off
rapturous joy when he got cheered when Ohtani to an entertaining start.
the phone call telling him donned a red No. 17 jer- The league-wide court-
Shohei Ohtani wanted to sey and hat on stage with ship ended Friday with his
join the Los Angeles Angels. team owner Arte Moreno, decision to join Mike Trout
When Eppler attempted to manager Mike Scioscia and Albert Pujols in Orange
sit back down, he missed his and Eppler. County.
chair completely, sprawl- Ohtani doesn’t speak The 23-year-old former Jap-
ing onto the floor. much English yet, but he anese MVP is attempting to
Ohtani has inspired strong stepped to the podium become the majors’ most
reactions ever since the and addressed the fans significant two-way player
world became aware of confidently: “Hi. My name in several decades, and he
the Japanese star’s for- is Shohei Ohtani.” will have every opportunity
midable talent as both a Ohtani already knows how to fill two prominent roles
pitcher and a hitter. to work a crowd, too: He with the Angels. Ohtani is
Now that the Angels have had the perfect answer expected to join the An-
landed such a coveted when asked whether he gels’ starting rotation next
prize, they can’t wait to was more excited to get season, and he will be their
Baseball player Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, poses for photos after see who else he can knock his first pitching victory or designated hitter on many
a news conference at Angel Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, in over. his first homer in the big days when he isn’t pitching,
Anaheim, Calif. The Japanese star is bringing his arm and bat The Angels formally intro- leagues. Scioscia said. Ohtani won’t
to the Los Angeles Angels, pairing him with two-time MVP Mike duced Ohtani on Saturday, “Hopefully, if I can pull it off, play in the outfield “at the
Trout. one day after the franchise maybe both in one game,” outset” of his career, which
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) won the baseball-wide he said through a transla- likely includes at least his
By GREG BEACHAM, ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — competition for his services. tor. first season in Anaheim, Ep-
AP Sports Writer General manager Billy Ep-
A lively crowd gathered Ohtani’s grand experi- pler said.q

AP sources: Yankees set to reel in MVP Stanton from Marlins

By RONALD BLUM with the negotiations said. As for the physical, injuries Stanton would be reminis-
STEVEN WINE A third person said the curtailed Stanton’s season cent of the Yankees’ ac-
AP Sports Writers Marlins would also receive in four of the past six years, quisition of AL MVP Alex
MIAMI (AP) — After helping prospects Jorge Guzman, but he played a career- Rodriguez from Texas after
the New York Yankees to a right-hander, and Jose high 159 games in 2017 and the 2003 season for second
five World Series titles, Der- Devers, an infielder who is a led the majors with 59 hom- baseman Alfonso Soriano.
ek Jeter might help them cousin of Boston prospect ers and 132 RBIs. Rodriguez signed a $275
win another. Rafael Devers. If the Yankees complete million, 10-year contract af-
The Yankees and Jeter’s The third person said the the trade with Jeter, their ter the 2007 season that ran
Miami Marlins have agreed deal calls for the Marlins to former captain and the through age 42; Stanton’s
to a trade that would send send $30 million to the Yan- new Marlins CEO, the Bronx deal runs through age 38.q
NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton kees if Stanton doesn’t ex- Bombers would pair Stan-
to New York, pending a ercise his right to opt out of ton with Aaron Judge, who
physical, a person familiar his contract and become led the AL with 52 in his rook-
with the negotiations said a free agent after the 2020 ie season. That would give
Saturday. The person spoke season. them a one-two punch to
to The Associated Press on Stanton has a no-trade rival Ruth-Gehrig or Mantle-
condition of anonymity be- clause in his record $325 Maris, making for must-see
cause the teams hadn’t million, 13-year contract batting practice.
announced the agree- and has indicated he will Judge sent a tweet to Stan-
ment. approve the trade, one of ton showing a clip from the
Second baseman Starlin the people said. St. Louis movie “Step Brothers” with
Castro would go to Mi- and San Francisco said Fri- Will Ferrell saying, “Did we
ami as part of the trade, day that Stanton had ve- just become best friends?”
a second person familiar toed deals to them. Obtaining the 28-year-old