It’s Sho-ver: Ohtani passes over SF Giants for record-breaking deal with Dodgers

Baseball’s highest-profile free agency ever is over, and the San Francisco Giants struck out once again.

Shohei Ohtani announced Saturday via his personal Instagram a record-shattering agreement that not only meant the Giants finished as runners-up, but will have to face the two-way megastar a dozen times a year as the Dodgers’ grip on the National League West grows even tighter.

Long perceived to be the favorites in the free-agent sweepstakes, the Dodgers reeled in their prize one day after false reports that Ohtani was in agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays sent the baseball world into a frenzy. The terms of the contract, according to his agent, Nez Balelo: $700 million over 10 years, eclipsing the previous record held by Mike Trout, whose $426.5 million deal had been the largest in major-league history.

The Giants, from Farhan Zaidi down to Bob Melvin, have been adamant about adding star power this offseason. And while they were believed to have been a finalist for the game’s biggest attraction, they will now need to turn their sights elsewhere.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.