LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Shohei Ohtani signed with an A’s division rival last week.
“Typical,” said Billy Beane said Monday.
The A’s will see Ohtani, the so-called Japanese Babe Ruth, and the rest of the Los Angeles Angels on opening day next season. The influx of high-priced talent into the American League West over the years also includes Robinson Cano, Albert Pujols and Justin Verlander.
The Ohtani signing prompted Bob Melvin to tell Beane: “Ever since I’ve been manager here, all these big names always go to the A.L. West.”
But the biggest blockbuster deal of all is the trophy acquired by the Houston Astros last fall.