Could you imagine if Shohei Ohtani signed with the Blue Jays?
source: Getty Images A new team has entered a bid in the Shohei Ohtani raffle — the Toronto Blue Jays.
After it looked like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox or New York Mets initially would be the favorites to sign the two-way superstar, it seems as though Ohtani has narrowed down his list of potential landing spots on the second day of free agency. Among those still in the running are the aforementioned Dodgers and Blue Jays, along with the San Francisco Giants.
It is not known when exactly Ohtani will decide on a new club, but what is known is that he will probably not re-sign with the Los Angeles Angels after rejecting their qualifying offer last month. The Red Sox, Mets, and Texas Rangers shifted their focus on other players, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The Chicago Cubs have also seemingly dropped out of the race.
The Jays emerged as a top pick after a few conversations on Dec. 4. General Manager Ross Atkins was not in Nashville to meet in person with anybody due to “scheduling conflicts”, reported by The Athletic. Ohtani met with the team instead down at their complex in Florida.
“The fact that we’re in a position to attract marquee free agents, to be in a position to potentially trade for really good players is a very, very good starting point and one that we are embracing,” Atkins said via The Athletic. “In terms of expectations, listen, we’re going to do everything we can to make our team better. There are certain players in the game that any team in baseball would like to have and it’s extremely competitive. So, we will do everything in our power to build upon this very good team. And that could happen in a lot of different shapes. And we’re pushing very hard to do so.”
It is estimated that Ohtani’s new contract, wherever he signs, will be somewhere between $500 and $600 million, if not more. It is also believed that it will be a long-term contract, as long as 12 years.
Ohtani plans on keeping his thought process and decision-making on a new team quiet, but MLB insider Jon Paul Morosi says that he could make a decision within the next week.
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