Mike Trout’s ‘Gut Feeling’ Was Shohei Ohtani Was Always Going to the Dodgers

Like many, Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout had a feeling Shohei Ohtani was headed for the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent.

As Ohtani’s free agent frenzy ramped up, several other teams tried to woo him, including the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays. On Dec. 9, Ohtani announced his intent to sign with the Dodgers instead.

“I kind of had a pretty good idea, my gut feeling it was going to be the Dodgers. I’m just happy for him. Obviously, I wanted him to come back. He got what he deserves.”

— Angels center fielder Mike Trout, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Even before he signed with the Dodgers, Ohtani joining the team almost felt inevitable. Ohtani was already familiar with Southern California from his six years with the Angels’ organization. While Trout would have liked to see Ohtani stay, the franchise was not willing to offer the money Ohtani secured in his $700 million contract.

Money aside, Ohtani had previously expressed his desire to win – a challenge for the Angels, who haven’t reached the postseason since 2014 or posted a .500 record since 2015.

For a Dodgers team looking for those couple roster additions to get them another World Series title, bringing in Ohtani felt like the perfect match.

Trout and Ohtani’s teams will face each other for the first time on Feb. 24 in the Cactus League. Ohtani might not play in the game — he won’t play in the Dodgers’ Cactus League opener as he works his way back from elbow surgery — but the former teammates will have another opportunity to face off in June, when the Dodgers and Angels first meet in the regular season.

Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

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