The Toronto Blue Jays’ Pursuit of Shohei Ohtani: A $500 Million Gamble

The Toronto Blue Jays might be in a three-way race to land one of the greatest free agents in baseball history, but how likely are they to actually sign Shohei Ohtani?

“Imagine a unicorn: one of the best players in the game right now. A guy doing things we haven’t seen since Babe Ruth,” Johnny Gionta of the Gate 14 podcast told CTV News Toronto. “I mean, we’re talking about a guy who’s a top 10 player, a top 15 player.” In the major leagues, a top 10 hitter, a top 15 hitter in the major leagues, maybe a top 5 hitter.

The 29-year-old Japanese two-way phenom entered free agency in the fall after one of the best seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Angels and a unanimous AL MVP award – his second in three years.

He is expected to land a contract worth more than $500 million, a staggering sum that would eclipse the largest contract in MLB history, the $426.5 million contract held by former teammate Mike Trout.

Multiple media outlets reported that Ohtani met with the Jays front office in Dunedin, Florida, on Monday. The same day, Jays general manager Ross Atkins changed his in-person media availability at the MLB winter meetings in Nashville, Tennessee, to Zoom at the last minute due to a “scheduling conflict “.

« [Atkins] He couldn’t tell us where he was. “He wasn’t in Nashville for baseball meetings,” TSN’s Matt Koz told CP24 on Tuesday.

Kuz explained that trade discussions for Ohtani are shrouded in mystery because his representatives have stated that if there were any leaks, he would not sign with that team.

The Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers are also in talks with Ohtani, whom the latter met a few days ago, according to several media.

“Agents are generally always forcing information, disclosing information to try to help their clients. This case is very different… This is a very unique case, but Shohei Ohtani also represents the greatest free agent, perhaps in baseball history. We’ve never seen anything like this before. » «

So what will the addition of Otani to the Jays mean? According to Kuz, more confidence in the front office and strength at the plate.

“By making this decision, it immediately erases any negative feelings regarding the loss to the Minnesota Twins. It also gives the Jays offense what it needs: They couldn’t hit home runs last year,” Kuz said.

Ohtani has hit 44 home runs during the 2022-23 season, fourth-best in the league and nearly double what Jays outfielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit. He also led MLB in on-base and slugging with 1.066 percent.

“Ohtani is one of the best at hitting home runs. He’s a great fit for the Blue Jays,” Koz said.

As for the price tag of signing a talent as huge as Ohtani, Gionta estimates he’s worth around $500 million and said the team that drafts him will see an “immediate” return on investment.

“It’s a huge price, but if you think about it from a business perspective, it’s expensive… Jersey sales are going to be crazy. Games sold: the hottest ticket on the planet. This guy brings a whole bunch of them with him. And he’s a world star in Japan. So it’s huge. » , great wherever he goes.

There is no timetable for when Ohtani will decide where he lands next season.

With files from The Associated Press

2023-12-06 09:44:19
#Toronto #Blue #Jays #sign #Shohei #Ohtani #Heres

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