Ohtani says he picked Dodgers because he wants a winner

LOS ANGELES, United States -- Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani said on Thursday (Friday, Manila time) he was excited to join the Los Angeles Dodgers because he hungers to win a Major League Baseball title.

The two-way batting and pitching threat made his first public appearance for the Dodgers since Monday's signing of a record-smashing 10-year contract worth $700 million, the largest deal in North American sports history.

"I can't wait to join the Dodgers," Ohtani said through a translator. "They share the same passion as me and have a vision and history all about winning and I have the same values.

"I will face a lot of new challenges as a Dodger and I'm ready for it."

Ohtani donned a Dodgers jersey and cap and posed for photographs before answering questions.

"It was really a tough decision for me but at the end of the day I had to choose one team," Ohtani said. "I do prioritize winning and that was one of the reasons I chose this team."

Ohtani was the top MLB free agent this year after six stellar seasons for the Los Angeles Angels, all losing campaigns without a playoff appearance since his arrival from Japan in 2018.

Ohtani will defer $68 million of his annual salary until after his contract is complete, giving the Dodgers more money under MLB salary cap rules to sign extra talent to help ensure the team is a consistent championship contender.

"I was looking into it and doing some calculations and I figured if I can defer as much money as I can and that's going to help the Dodgers be able to sign better players and make a better team, I felt that was worth it and was willing to go that direction," Ohtani said.

The 29-year-old slugger helped Japan capture a third World Baseball Classic in March, earning Most Valuable Player honors, then took his second MLB American League MVP award in three seasons.

Ohtani batted .304 with an AL-best 44 home runs, 95 runs batted in and 20 stolen bases while as a right-handed pitcher he went 10-5 with a 3.14 earned-run average and 167 strikeouts.

Ohtani, who underwent "Tommy John" right elbow tendon replacement surgery in 2018, will not be able to pitch for the Dodgers in 2024 after undergoing October surgery to repair a