Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani signs with the Los Angeles Angels

Shohei Otani. — (Image credit: Masterpress/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Angels signed 23-year-old Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani on Friday, putting an end to an intense Major League Baseball-wide pursuit of the dual pitcher and outfielder. Ohtani's agent explained to Yahoo Sports that "while there has been much speculation about what would drive Shohei's decision, what mattered to him most wasn't market size, time zone, or league but that he felt a true bond with the Angels."

By joining the Angels, Ohtani rejected offers of more than $1 million from the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins, and Seattle Mariners. He also joins a team that already has one of the best players in the league — although it appears there is always room for more. Jeva Lange

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.