Shohei Ohtani is officially a Los Angeles Dodger after putting on his new jersey for the first time since signing a $700 million, 10-year deal with the team.
Ohtani's move across LA from the Angels to the Dodgers stunned the baseball world this week, and the Japanese two-way star has now been introduced to the media for the first time.
After choosing Dodger Blue for the first time, Ohtani shared his reasons for choosing them from a long list of suitors, explaining that their desire to win was a deciding factor.
“I think the most important thing is that we all agree. We all want to win,” Ohtani said. “And I think this team has that.”
It was announced earlier this week that Ohtani will defer $680 million of his $700 million contract and won't get most of his money back for a decade.
Shohei Ohtani speaks to the media after being introduced as a Los Angeles Dodger on Thursday
Ohtani poses for photos after donning his No. 17 uniform at a packed press conference
The Dodgers welcomed Ohtani to the team with a stage at Dodger Stadium in LA
“I was aware of the deferral structure and when there is a big contract in the MLB, I heard they are usually involved,” Ohtani said. “I looked at it and did some calculations.”
“If I can defer as much money as possible to help the Dodgers sign better players and build a better team, then I've made that decision,” Ohtani added.
At the press conference, Ohtani confirmed that he had undergone a second elbow surgery, but insisted that it was “different” than Tommy John's first surgery.
“I saw the doctor first and we had to go through a lot of steps and decide what surgery I wanted to have done,” Ohtani said. “At the time of the announcement we didn’t know. That's why I didn't announce it.'
Ohtani said he decided to join the Dodgers on Friday evening, less than 24 hours before he posted his decision on Instagram.
Ohtani spoke through his friend and interpreter during his first press conference as a Dodger
Ohtani wore a blue tie in the colors of his new team after his transfer from the rival Angels
Media members lined up to get a glimpse of Ohtani at his first news conference
“There’s no one reason,” Ohtani said of why he chose the Dodgers. “I met with a few teams at the end of the negotiation process. It was really a difficult decision for me. I had to choose a team and the Dodgers were my choice.”
Ohtani refused several times during the press conference to talk about any of the other teams interested in signing him. It was reported that his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, were also heavily involved in keeping Ohtani.
The Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants were among the other teams thought to have given Ohtani a sizable lead.
Ohtani cited the desire to have the best chance to win championships as the main reason he became a Dodger.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter helps Ohtani put on his blue uniform for the first time
The two-way superstar shakes hands with President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman
“I saw that my exposure is 10 years and I’m not sure how much longer I can play the game,” Ohtani said. “So I made winning a priority and that’s one of the reasons I chose this team.”
“Obviously I want to win championships, and when people look back at the championships that I won, I want people to remember that I was a big part of those teams that won the championship.”
Ohtani said it was “sad” to leave the Angels for the crosstown rival Dodgers, but the 29-year-old is ready for the challenge.
“Moving forward with the Dodgers, I feel pretty much the same as I did six years ago,” Ohtani said, comparing his first MLB career. “I love challenges and will face many new challenges as a Dodger and am ready for them.”