Former Los Angeles Angels GM reveals: Mike Trout’s video call was key to Shohei Ohtani joining the team

Billy Eppler, the Angels’ former general manager, recently shared in an interview with MLB Network that the signing of Shohei Ohtani was largely influenced by the team’s MVP star, Mike Trout.

When asked if Ohtani chose the Angels because he admired Trout and wanted to play alongside him, Eppler confirmed and recalled: “Absolutely. At the time, we were preparing recruitment materials in Los Angeles, and Trout was getting ready for his wedding reception. I reached out to him and asked, ‘Could you join our recruitment effort and have a ten-minute video chat with Ohtani?’ He immediately replied, ‘Of course! This will make the team stronger. I’ve watched his game footage; he’s outstanding.’”

Eppler emphasized Trout’s crucial role in the recruitment process. He compared the duo to NBA stars Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant: “I directly connected Trout via video call and turned the screen to Ohtani. They greeted each other through a translator and had a great conversation. Having a superstar like Trout as a teammate is incredibly valuable for the team. We even created a promotional video likening their partnership to Curry and Durant’s collaboration on the Warriors, highlighting the chemistry that can arise from superstar teammates. Whether or not this analogy convinced Ohtani, Trout’s personal video interaction was undoubtedly vital.”