Free agent Shohei Ohtani has not made a decision on his next club, per reports from Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet and Alden Gonzalez of ESPN and others. Earlier today, a report from J.P. Hoornstra of Dodgers Nation relayed that the two-way superstar would be signing with the Blue Jays, though nothing has been made official as of yet. Ohtani was reported to be en route to Toronto by Jon Morosi of MLB.com, though Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that Ohtani is at home in Southern California. Morosi has since retracted the report about Ohtani traveling to Toronto.
Ohtani’s free agency has been shrouded in secrecy by design, with the player and his reps preferring to keep the proceedings as private as possible. Recent reports have pegged the Jays, Dodgers, Giants, Angels and Cubs the finalists, though most of those clubs were hesitant to even admit they were involved, given Ohtani’s wishes. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins spoke with reporters via Zoom during the Winter Meetings and would not divulge where he was. Later reporting from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic indicated that it was “believed” that Ohtani met with the Jays at their facilities in Dunedin, Florida at that time. There were also “rumblings” that Ohtani met with the Giants at Oracle Park, per Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts broke through this cone of silence earlier this week, frankly admitting that his club had recently met with Ohtani and identified him as a “top priority.” Many wondered if this plain-spoken approach would harm the Dodgers’ chances of signing Ohtani, given his clear desire for privacy. But Hoornstra reports it’s not believed that had any role in Ohtani’s choice, even a choice has even been made.
All of this has made it very difficult to secure concrete information about Ohtani’s market and what sort of discussions he was having with his suitors, though Morosi reported this morning that a decision was “imminent” and could be announced as soon as today.
Oh Canada!
Thought he wanted to go to a contender.
Cartrow – They will be now. They already had the starting pitching, now their offense will be darn good too.
If Ohtani joining a team instantly makes them a contender…
Then explain why he’s never been to the playoffs, let alone won a division.
@njbirdsfan Because the Angels never spent a dime on pitching. The Jays have a good staff. Now it’s time for all the other teams to overpay Bellinger.
Because Arte Moreno throws tons of cash at mid injury ridden fielders and gives his GM a whole dozen dollars to spend on pitching.
Toronto won 89 games and made the playoffs without Ohtani last year. Anyone saying this doesn’t make the Blue Jays contenders is just fooling themselves. Sour grapes and pure jealousy.
This comment is particularly daft seeing as the Jays have made the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years. Adding the best player in the world to a playoff team does tend to make them a contender.
Plus Vlad Jr had an off year. I’d put the odds of the Jays not making the playoffs if everybody is healthy at very slim now. They had a good shot before Ohtani, jeez. Very nice move, glad it is not LA!
You all forget the Yankees just got Juan Soto? That lineup is deadly, and Baltimore is a complete team. It’s not far fetched to say Toronto misses the playoffs and gets left holding that $600 mil bag.
Have you seen the angels roster???
Blue jays have incompetent manager if they sign ohtani they need to fire Schneider
Not any team. A decent team
The Jays made the postseason without him. You think they won’t with him?
They were pretty good before. Let’s not act like they are bad.
@AJSwims I think it is far more likely the Yankees end their one year of Soto with nothing to show for it than the Jays missing out on the playoffs.
The Yankees have a lot of wholes Soto isn’t filling.
Because the Angels are quite possibly the worst pitching and defensive team over the past six seasons. It was stunning how abysmal they were visiting Houston over the past few years.
Daft punk is playing at my house, my house
Baltimore got swept by the Rangers. They’re by far not a complete team.
To be fair, they did spend on pitching, just not on guaranteed good pitching.
Doesnt he just replace some of the production they sent away in teoscar and gurriel?
rct – Especially if Vlad and Springer return to anything close to 2021 form.
Angels. ‘Nuff said.
Because a contender is nothing but a team in contention. Nothing is guaranteed, especially in baseball
@Fever: Totally. Adding a great bat like Ohtani makes them better, too. More pitches to see, likely more ABs with men on base.
“Rumblings” in SF? That can’t be good.
AJSwims: That lineup is potentially deadly for 2024. After that, it’s back to 2023 again.
Yankees still need two infielders, a catcher, and a ton of pitching. Soto might not make them that much better. If he alone had that power, the Padres would have been better last year, especially considering that on paper they had a better team than the Yankees, and were fairly healthy.
He is hardly the best player in the world!!!
Did you say some of the production? Like those two are a tenth of the production of Ohtani.
Arte Moreno.
The end.
Yankees staff is suspect. Health of hitters/age decline is a huge issue. Volpe struggled w the bat. They could finish 4th, probably 3rd if Ohtani is in Toronto
Jays rotation is superior to the Yankees by quite a bit.
And now Yankees chances of getting Yamamoto just got real slim.
Yankees are worse than Toronto even with Soto.
Because the Angels never had the starting pitching or bullpen depth. Offense alone won’t do it
I can see it now…Ohtani calling out reporters after signing with Toronto anyway, for daring to “misreport” his signing when they had credible information to report.
Anyone else getting tired of his routine?
Only issue with that is I can see Toronto actually trading Vlad now to recoup prospects and strengthen other areas. Cause they’re not gonna pay Vlad when he becomes a FA.
Of course he is when hes pitching too
He’s the best player in the universe
enteluj88 – I dunno. I’m not a Yankee fan but their outfield and offense has been completely remade with Soto, Judge and Verdugo. Yes, they need a catcher and some starting pitching. But what a great way for NY to start the off season.
Soto will light up Yankee Stadium!
Exactly 6986 on offense and pitching staff
Could well be possible but I think they hold him for this season since he is still 2yrs away from being able to sign elsewhere
Cuz the angels have never had the pitching to get them there. Other teams have this!
With where things stand I would tend to agree. They need a seasoned guy to get them over the post season hump
I have seen multiple “Yankees need a catcher” – why? Trevino – a platinum glove will be back, and Wells can fit into a tandem role
Yes.
Less said about the Angels, the better.
Exactly! 2nd Tommy John and his future in pitching is a huge ?. Easy to prove he is not the best hitter in AL much less baseball.
But that’s a issue for 2 years from now, why would we trade vlad if we just signed ohtani that makes zero sense
I was really hoping for the barrage of Angel honks to post about their “elite” pitching staff, but looks like they finally got a clue!
You could say the same thing about the Jays though. Pitching was great (like the Yanks even with the injuries), several holes remain in the lineup (like the Yanks with their aging corner infielders).
Ohtani is not a guaranteed playoff ticket for the Jays at this point until they do a little more work. Same as adding Soto for the Yanks, except the Yanks added more than just Soto. I wouldn’t call Biggio or Espinal (or even Varsho) above average hitters, and I would say a comeback season for Springer is unlikely given his age. It’s still relatively early in the offseason to make a call- more trades can happen.
I think we know, it’s not that great. What about the padres lol.
Sounds like you’re a Yankees fan – so spare us the “unbiased” angle that you just posted and tried to slide by with. I’m a Red Sox fan and Soto to the Bronx is a good get for them… we’ll see what Breslow’s answer to that is. Sooner rather than later please.
Like the contending Angels when they had Othani and Trout?
@njbitdsfan I would say the lineup isn’t that great when the only starter was ohtani, and you have nothing but triple a guys playing, and the guy you drafted in 1st round was playing in the mlb 2 weeks later. So yeah I would say that could be a problem it wasn’t just a couple guys it was the whole opening day roster.
You had me at “daft”.
Says the guy with zero baseball manager experience
Sour grapes taste sour don’t they.
@cards1994 he didn’t have tommy John for his ucl injury. Look it up it’s internal brace surgery, the same doctor that did his first didn’t think it was serious enough. It’s also the same doctor that did Aaron Rodgers Achilles. Different injury but the same procedure. Could it require a tommy John down the road possibly, plenty of pitchers have two. It’s the third one that’s the problem. so he should be able to pitch through his contract
Routine??? I won’t step on your lawn.
They do, but Soto might put up 50 jacks, with that short porch.
I agree
LOOK!
Dave Roberts ruined the Dodgers’ hopes with his remarks and the Blue Jays are doing their best to acquire the services of Shohei Ohtani. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are clear favorites & were never the underdogs this free agency. Ohtani’s their guy & Shohei loves the team & fan base.
I disagree. My opinion, you put all your eggs in the Trout/Ohtani/Rendon basket, and then expect Moreno to just give you another blank check.
At a certain point, when you have two Hall of Famers on your team, it’s on you to lead the team to victory.
Funny how teams find pitching and don’t have to pay out the nose.
Enjoy the Ohtani cult though.
Question: When were the Jays last in the World Series? Making it to the playoffs is one thing. Not the same thing as being part of the World Series.
They won’t miss the playoffs if they add Ohtani lol. Yankees got Soto but still need pitching. The Yankees need to go all in and get more pitching because after 24 they’ll have to re sign both Cole and Soto. That about 6-700 mill to get both lol
Plus Monoah was dookie this year. He bounces back and Vlad Jr has a better year look out
The fact that the Angels had Trout and Ohtani for so many years and couldn’t make the playoffs once goes to show what a travesty the management and ownership of the franchise has been. You can’t make the playoffs with two players, even two who are some of the best of the last 30 years, but that is a great starting point. With how mediocre to bad they were for so long with how they spent Arte would make the owners from Major League proud.
Rangers have the best coach in MLB
@weaselpuppy- That’s nice wishful thinking, but highly unlikely. Has Othani’s jet landed in Canada yet? Please let us now when it arrives. Wait for it…
@Mrivers- Really? Please let me know when you wake up from all your delusion, hope you enjoyed the Jays being better then the Yankees last season. I wouldn’t get used to it, enjoy 3rd or 4th place this season in the AL East.
@Sheetz- I really wish you were a betting man. I wouldn’t let last season get to your head, trust me it will be short lived, even if you get lucky somehow and land Ohtani. Jays fan talk a lot of junk considering they’ve never won anything.
Nah Pete, Trevino and Wells should be fine behind the plate truthfully. If Yamamoto signs with the Mets or the Dodgers, expect the Yankees to try to get Jordan Montgomery back for 5 or 6 years. Monty seems to be a better pitcher since he left NY. We’ll see what happens.
The blue jays with or without ohtani are not a contender
Ohtani isn’t pitching this year, the jays staff is horrible
I agree @pickle but still love Gibby more. Even though he is the bench coach for the Mets he would be the perfect fit to lead this group of Jays if Ohtani joins the fold. 3 times a charm?!
rct – Jays made the playoffs 2022 and 2023 by virtue of the wild card and got swept in both years. Sure they were there, but hardly serious contenders.
I don’t think there will be a bag to hold. Shohei is a Dodger, the only question is can he make the Dodgers pay closer to the Toronto offer.
Bochy is the manager, not a coach
Not a Jays fan, it’s just obvious. Unless Cashman signs Yamamoto.
Nah, Rizzo was raking before concussion, Gleybar is in a walk year, Verdugo is infinitely greater than IKF in the outfield. Hal is finally turning the Yankees back into the evil empire and not done yet
Vlad is going to go the Prince Fielder route and eat himself out of a job. His best years are behind him. Toronto doesn’t have the moxy to spend money to surround Ohtani with the proper supporting cast and he will not win there. He will be a road block to other talent in Toronto
So the Jays (89 wins) aren’t a contender adding Ohtani, but the Yankees (bottom dwellers) ‘are’ by adding Soto??
Make it make sense.
Actually, you never know. Ohtani will only DH in ’24. Blue Jays still need pitching and the East is crazy.
Let’s also be for real- Ohtani’s not a Blue Jay yet.
@Coolkid, which players were mid injury ridden fielders at the time of their signing??
Rendon had average roughly 145 games a season the 3 seasons prior to signing with Angels. 2 of those 3 seasons he was in top 6 of MVP voting and the 3rd he was 11th.
As for Pujols the 3 seasons prior to signing he won MVP, was runner up, and was 5th in the 3rd season.
So neither were obvious injury or regression risks. It’s easy to judge in hindsight, but when people do so without considering the environment at the time being judged its quite foolish…..
Maybe not next year, the Yankees are going to score a ton of runs next season they fixed their offense pretty quick. Baltimore and Tampa won 99 games, Texas and Houston are definitely retooling and unless Cleveland decides its going to spend money Minnesota should win that division. The way things are currently you will have Tampa, New York, Toronto, and Seattle going after those final 2 spots….You also have to consider Boston will get into the spending this year too that’s why I say currently. I can see Toronto winning 89 or 90 games and missing those last spots should come down to the final weekend.
@AJ, Soto without a doubt improves their lineup and is a great fit being someone who consistently gets on base. The additions of him and Verdugo in no way turn that lineup which was horrible last year to being lethal.
To be fair it was a statistical anomaly what happened to the Padres last year. The Padres went 10-28 in one run games. That’s the worst record since 1935. The worst all-time is 7-31….If they won more of those games they are easily in the playoffs over Arizona. Usually it’s a sign you need a closer but they had Josh Hader. To me it’s an anomaly then that won’t be repeated.
@jhomeslice It looks a great deal less like Vlad Jr had an off year than that 2021 was a fluke year, even a freak year. Otherwise his seasonal average pro rated for 2020 is a tame 2.5 bWAR, and 2.5 bWAR for 650 PA with all measures down dramatically compared to his lucky year. Even more, far more than Soto’s unrepeated 2021 season, Vlad’s 2021 is looking more and more like a complete outlier.
Assuming he’s going to rebound when he’s had all of a single star-caliber seasons is likely to be a mistake. As for his GG in 2022—jaysus. His fielding was below average even then before completely falling off horribly in ’23.
Rizzo was out with a concussion, you never know what you will get from Torres or Stanton. If Stanton, Torres, and Rizzo play like they are capable with Judge, Soto, and Verdugo that team scores a ton.
@AJSwims Who do people think Juan Soto is? Serious question.
On the books he’s a 5 win DH, a 4-5 fWAR DH in fact in 2022-2023. Why is anyone talking as if he’s 2016 Mike Trout? He’s not even 2019, 2021, 2023 Marcus Semien—and he’s not particularly close.
There’s no reason to think that will be the case, though.
Springer’s 2023 was nearly identical in value to his 2021 season, where the Jays spread out his value by putting him in twice as many games in 2023, something that killed his value at the plate at 33. Springer was never aging gracefully. He’ll be lucky to put up 3 WAR in 2024, never mind repeat 2022.
As for Vlad, well, 2021 defines “fluke season.”
Well said, though the Padres were almost certainly just unlucky on the team level. 92-70 Pythagorean record compared to their 82-80 record on the field. It happens to nearly every team, one way or the other—just usually not so extreme.
Baseball’s narratives are bound up in “grit” and “character,” which tends to conceal how much luck is involved in succeeding and failing, winning and losing. With ordinary luck the Padres would have won 92 games and the distance between them, the Dodgers, and the last wildcard would have left them well-rested, probably, going into the postseason.
@Rexhudler Marcus Semien will give more value in 2024 than Ohtani. Start there. Much like Soto, though their value arrives differently, Ohtani’s a 5 WAR DH. That’s just about the limits of both, though freak seasons occasionally arrive.
He’s not going to magically confer a WS appearance on the Jays.
Verdugo and Grisham are a big help until Dominguez gets back, but the Yankees gave up probably 3 WAR to get Soto’s 5 WAR, and the overlap at DH and in the OF probably ends up costing them another half win. That’s a huge premium to pay for a 1.5-2.5 WAR upgrade from Soto, and only in 2024 unless they’re forking out for both premium starting pitching AND pitching depth.
They may well have done better if they could have added Grisham and Verdugo, and kept King et al they otherwise dealt for Soto. That’s around 6 WAR, which Soto’s unlikely to reach (though it should be close) in 2024, not to mention giving up Thorpe. Ugh.
Add to that the $33m they’ll be paying Soto, and it was almost certainly a foolish, foolish trade.
Because Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet get to decide. How does two Toronto Blue Jays (Rogers) shills get to decide that a decision hasn’t been made? Share your overlord source.
Because he needed to have at least one other superstar on the team. Oh wait…
@Kingbum, when you have to say “IF” that’s a big red flag. And let’s be real here Stanton in his age 34 season is far from the player who had some great seasons with the Marlins. As for Torres he played pretty much exactly to his capabilities last season which is about .270 BA with 20-25 HRs. That’s been his production every season aside from juiced ball 2019. Rizzo also going into age 34 season, if healthy his capabilities look to be about .250 BA 30 HRs.
You are just looking at names and not taking an objective look at where these players and their skillsets are or how they ve traded statistically.
Why do fans who have no clue what they’re talking about reference a short playoff series and pretend the rest of the 162 games don’t matter?
The Angels. Explained.
I strongly disagree with you, Soto makes the Yankees so much better. The Yankees want and need him a lot more then San Diego ever did. We’ll see what happens this season, and if I’m right.
With the stupid ghost runner rule, that anomoly can easily happen again.
Yeah me either, that’s the plan to sign Yamamoto. Hearing 3 teams, Mets, Yankees or the Dodgers,?
Is Ohtani pitching in 2024, did I miss something? Please let me know.
Yes I definitely agree with you. The Blue Jay fans are “prematurely getting excited” when we don’t even know where Ohtani is going yet. I would love to see their faces if it’s somewhere else when he decides! LOLOL!
Godzilla?
If Cole decides to opt out after next season, all the Yankees have to do is give him a 9th year at $36 million to keep him. If the Yankees want to let him become a FA they can but they won’t. A strange contract but it is what it is.
Yes, but he makes them much better on paper, but they lost some good players like Chapman. They need Hader more than they need Ohtani. Remember he didn’t win in Cali. Pitching wins, and if I was the Jays I would add to the pen with 2 quality arms and you have a chance. The problem is pitching is outlier!
Actually, the position that has the lowest WAR according to Fangraphs is 1B.
How much has Minasian spent on bad pitching? It’s well over 100 million dollars.
How he has a job is beyond me.
Because if he joins the Jays he will push them over the top. They made the playoffs anyway without him.
The Angels, on the other hand, are rubbish, Ohtani clearly makes them better, but not enough better.
Agree, but so do the Jays.
Besides, professional prognosticators need a reason not to pick Baltimore to win the NL East next year. 😉
No crying either. 😉
Too bad Bartolo Colon is retired when the Yankees need “a ton of pitching.” 😉
and the astros no longer have the worst
Baltimore lacks pitching.
They have verdugo as well. That OF alone can mash anyone
he probably told his agent he wants to be in LA and the agent is using Toronto to gain leverage on one of the LA clubs, probably the Dodgers.
Verdugo is over-rated.
Objectively, the Blue Jays and Yankees are set to be very, very close statistically. To claim either is better hands-down at this stage is not a fair or objective assessment. Honestly, the greatest impact on their finish will be which team navigates injuries most effectively.
I thought Montgomery was kinda pissed at the Yanks when they let him go. Am I mistaken? I think he goes back to the Rangers.
I tend to agree with you, Pete. I have him going to TX as well; but he was very close with the players on NY, for what that’s worth. I think it ultimately comes down to the offer though.
Clipper — And I think, if the Giants lose out on Yamamoto, they will be in on Montgomery.
That’s a good call. He seems perfect for their style of preferred pitcher (admittedly, I’m no expert on the Giants coaching pitching staff though). If you guys acquired him I think you’d be very pleased. He’s a very durable, talented pitcher obviously. A very nice complement to Logan Webb.
Unfortunately yes.
The majority if their starting pitching is in their 30s (Gausman – 32, Kikuchi – 32 and Bassitn- 34) with Kikuchi being in the last year of his deal. The long term doesn’t bode well unless they start bringing up rookies or spending more money on FA arms,
I was very surprised they decided to bring Schneider back for another season. I thought the writing was on the wall when they brought Donnie Baseball in as his Bench Coach. I think he could be on a short leash when the season starts, especially if they do end up signing Ohtani.
@Mets6986???-Lol! Exactly what “HOLES” doesn’t Soto fill for the Yankees? Bc I’m pretty sure he filled a couple of “holes/needs”. He fills a corner OF need, a need for a LH bat, and a middle of the order bat who hits for power, gets on base, and doesn’t strikeout a lot. All of which was something the Yankees lineup has lacked and needed desperately over the last few seasons. The Yankees had a MAJOR need for a power LH corner OF bat this off-season, and they were able to fill that with one of, if not the best LH corner OF hitter in the MLB. So your “wholes” comment makes absolutely zero sense, tighten up.
He and trout must want to miss the playoffs every year for the length of their careers.
@corrosive Jays made the playoffs in 2022 and 2023. But you’re right, no chance of them making the playoffs now with Ohtani (eyes rolling). Maybe you should bet some people on Ohtani not making the playoffs with the Jays, you sound really smart.
Springer
Bo
Ohtani
Vlad
Kirk
Varsho
Jansen
Biggio
Espinal
That lineup doesn’t make the playoffs. Jays need more than Shohei.
???? What world are you loving in?
lol
That lineup looks pretty good to me actually, even with you putting two catchers into the batting order for some reason. I get that Kirk has been DH some, but Ohtani will be the full time DH in this scenario. So replace the catcher in the lineup that isn’t catching with Davis Schneider or whoever else they sign to play OF.
It’s not good enough. This also hinges on the starting pitching remaining healthy and effective. Jays are nowhere close to being done. The Yankees have improved. Baltimore has talent still coming up from the minors and we can’t sleep on the Rays.
You know that a variation of that lineup DID make the playoffs last year, right? It’s not like Belt, Kiermaier and Merrifield are irreplaceable. And, who says they’d be done making moves after signing Ohtani? Ownership wouldn’t be approving a $500-$600 million investment to field a losing team. Besides, you’ve got two 2Bs in that lineup. They’re still going to add another outfielder.
Clueless, post the rays lineup or orioles or Red Sox. Jays is much better
rols let’s see here…O’s and Rays were ahead of the Jays last year and the Yankees landed Verdugo and Soto. They need pitching. They also won the division in 2022.
By saying the Jays need more than Ohtani is like you saying the Angels won the division every year with Trout and Ohtani. What, they didn’t need more than that???????
Are you crazy thinking espinal is a starter? And Biggio I’m assuming is a starting outfielder? Why is there 2 catchers in the lineup. Like what in the???
Espinal is your current 3B. What have I been saying? Jays need more than Ohtani and yet people don’t seem to get it! Are you grasping it now? Jays need to fill more holes. Lineup not deep enough. Yet.
Then why post that lineup like it makes any sense? The positions don’t even fit
If the season started today Espy is the Jays 3B. What are you talking about?
Espinal wouldn’t be the starter on the hot corner. He more or less tanked last season. Probably plug Schneider in. I otherwise agree with you the Jays would be far from finished revamping the line up before Feb.
Schneider can’t play 3B well defensively. Not pretty like his stache. Jays also have not given Orelvis Martinez enough 3B reps either, perhaps because he too struggles at 3B defensively.
As it stands today, Espy is the 3B.
They were a contender the past two years…. Do you follow baseball?
They were tied for 6th rols. Squeaked in. If that’s contention to you I’d say you’re clueless.
Best rotation in the league without Ohtani, top 5 bullpens and a lineup that struggled to score but was still one of the best hitting teams last year. Ya jays aren’t good I guess
Congratulations but good luck extending Guerrero and Bichette as those guys are each getting $350+ million. Jays simply cannot keep them all.
That’s a problem that they can figure out after the next 2 seasons
And don’t forget: “Blue Jays win Team Gold Glove Award in the American League”
Meh. Bichette happens
FWIW there have been reports management was given 2 budgets. One that included Ohtani and o e that didn’t with the former being a fair bit larger. It has also been reported that Rogers Communications sees Ohtani more as a Rogers business expense than a baseball expense. They own the team, the Dome, the radio station they are broadcast on, the tv sports network they are broadcast on, and the cable company that provides the sports network. They stand to make a lot of money off Ohtani. They also provide home internet and mobile phones. All of this is Canada wide as well. It’s not just in the Toronto area.
In short it is no gaurantee that they lose Bo and Vlad due to this contract.
Exactly! The Jays have 2 years of Bo and Guerrero still. If they get Ohtani and Guerrero only has another decent season and not a repeat of 2021 he gets shipped next off season. Bo won’t be going anywhere
That’s right and they will drop their hockey deal after another couple seasons which will free up more money to sign either of them. Deep pockets to say the least
You didn’t watch the Jays if you really believe they were the best hitting teams.
They need more than Ohtani to contend in 2024. Expect an injury or two on the mound. They need depth in the batting order. That’s should be common knowledge.
Money talking. I’m guessing 600 million
I doubt it’ll be that high. The south side of 500MM sounds more like it.
Thinking the Dodgers now might have to sign the next best thing: Cody Bellinger(reunion) since nobody wants to sign with Giants(except Arson Judge & @gfan, of course) Lolololololol!!!
Canadian money lol
Bellinger going to Giants for 10/250. He wont get that from anyone else if he is all about money.
Dodger money lol
Hahah 12 year $815 million deal (600 mil USD)
That is a lot of loonies, Tim Horton’s, maple syrup, poutine, and Molson.
As AC/DC would say, “Come on , come on, listen to the money talk.”
They aren’t a contender? If they weren’t, they definitely are now.
I’d give good money just to see Dodger fans face’s right now.
Idc either way if they spend money on one guy or spread it out among a bunch of guys. Baseball isn’t an individual sport and has alotta roster spots to fill on a team…..
I can’t imagine how Dodger’s management must feel now. All the maneuvering the did to keep payroll down for Ohtani over the last couple years and have it be for nothing. As you mentioned the fans must be in shock as well considering it supposed to be a formality.
Not the first time they’ve missed out in free agency. There’s always a plan B….
Right! A lot in utter disbelief
@Jaysfansince
As a Dodgers fan, I won’t dare to speak for others.
But freeing up the half-billion to fill the team’s actual needs (2 frontline starters, 3B, LF) is a wonderful consolation prize.
Ohtani is a great player and it would’ve been nice to sign him–no matter how much of an albatross that contract might become, particularly for a 2-time TJ recipient. But now that the circus has left town, LA can get down to actual business.
All good on this end, and have fun with misanthrope….
Jays fan, that’s didn’t age well. I feel for you guys. As a Giants fan we get used to this.
The Jays could easily fall to 4th place even with an Ohtani who isn’t gonna pitch next season. It’s that tough of a division and the Red Sox could improve as well there’s no soft teams in that division
Correct, It also means that the Yankees, Orioles or Rays could also fall to 4th.
@braves butthead unlikely but definitely possible as it’s always the toughest division. That being said imo both Tampa and especially Baltimore overachieved last season
He does, he just doesn’t wanna go to a team that’s a guaranteed choke artists in the playoffs
Hahaha bitter much! Book the parade for late October in T.O. baby!!!!
Just Ohtani n his agent turning the screw to milk out lil more on Dodgers offer, Toronto please, doesn’t even speak Canadien or he can remain in his current Home, be paid kings ransom, n play on biggest stage in beautiful sunny southern california n be baseball God.
@Niekro did u say “doesn’t speak Canadian”?? English and French are the primary languages spoken in Canada. Ohtani knows some English but doesn’t speak it fluently and most always has an interpreter.
Regardless of where he signs he ll be paid a kings Ranson. As far as becoming a baseball God, why would LA be the place to go??? They have had 1 player who has fit that bill in Koufax. There are numerous other franchises that have been far more effective at producing “baseball Gods”.
They instantly become a contender…because he signed with them.
Hmm. A willfully ignorant or intellectually dishonest comment? Or both? Either way you garnered attention if that was your end game. Congrats, DCartrow.
MLBTR contest percentages just went down across the board.
Ain’t that the truth…
@padam all this means is dodgers are out. It was one of their writers, Probably heard that much.
but but but!
He only wants to play on the Left Coast!
Sort of the left coast of Lake Erie.
I think you meant West Coast. Absolutely no one (with a functioning brain) calls it the “Left” coast
Maybe hes just tired of the anti asian racism south of the border…
get a clue dude
ruff – Wonder what will happen to all the commenters here who insisted they had some kind of inside knowledge that he was going to the Dodgers.
They will likely do what they always do, disappear and pretend it never happened!
$600mil for MAYBE two more seasons on the mound, assuming he remains effective.
That’s gonna cripple that franchise for the next 10 years
Maybe 2 more seasons in the mound?? You’re just making crap up lol
Two elbow surgeries…he doesn’t have much longer as a pitcher in this league.
$600 mil DH
He didn’t get tommy John surgery this time around.
That is what they all say before TJ2- once contract is signed
That’s what his doctor said the one who did his first tommy John, it was internal brace surgery.
It was still elbow surgery
You’re stupid if you think it will, if this rumor is true, buy stock in Roger’s Communications
The blue swallows signed shoey ohtami, sources unknown not even sure who the team or player is.
And the Dodger fans all come out and say – “oh, we didn’t want him anyway.”
You clearly have no idea who owns the Jays and how deep that corporations pockets are.
@AJ Swims
No it won’t, and it wouldn’t cripple any franchise. Ohtani will cover 2/3 of his salary in merchandise.
$30-40 MM in broadcast rights to Japan + in game advertising.
Increased attendance, merchandise sales, concessions & parking.
Increased ad revenue as well. Rogers will profit from Ohtani.
I love this! Best thing in the world for the AL East!
When Vegas odds gives you The Dodgers, bet against them.
Vegas is never going to give you the actual team and want to lose.
Vegas wouldn’t let people bet on something that controlled by a person’s decision
The Dodgers Dodged a bullet, he seems mighty expensive for a $60MM a year DH
I hate the Dodgers, and I was really hoping they would drop that kind of money on him just so I could laugh at Dodgers fans when his elbow goes after another season. I guess they got smart though…
Hater
Shohei Ohtani is the best player in MLB, maybe the best ever. If by some chance he can’t pitch any more the he won’t be a DH. He will become one of the best defensive OF or 1B in baseball while being a top five hitter for the next several years.
Unless you have watched him every day you can’t appreciate what he can do on the field. He also is worth 10s of millions each year in marketing for his team. He will be the face of MLB for the next several years.
I’m sure that his contract will back load a lot of salary and the contract may come with a opt out or two.
As an Angels fan, I am sad that Moreno wouldn’t allow his GM to build a team around him that could compete. I will be rooting hard for Toronto and hope Ohtani continues to be the best.
He only had two solid years out of six with the Angels!
@angelbum thanks for letting everyone know you don’t watch baseball.
lol not even close
Shadow_Banned;
I agree. Before Ohtani hurt his arm last season I was hoping the Dodgers would sign him, but not so much now, especially for the money that’s still being reported. They need to address their starting pitching and a corner outfielder. Maybe even a third baseman.
Lots of money needs to be spent these positions!
Hey Dodgers no soup for you!
California routinely released cherry picked statistics that give the illusion they are a major world economy, they are not. They put their economic numbers full of government spending against countries that do not include the same government spending numbers. California isn’t even a top 20 worldwide economy, and spends hundreds of billions more in tax revenue than they collect from taxes. Don’t be fooled by ridiculous government propaganda.
Easy 50Cal. The Texans are already suffering due to the horrible weather and crazy property taxes.
Rise above the ignorance.
Who cares about envious opinions?
The rest of the country hates us so much the twisted hair brained opinions bred from that is just comical.
We should secede from our “enemies”
U.S. state and local government outstanding debt 2021, by state. In 2021, the federal state of California had about 541.24 billion U.S. dollars of debt outstanding, the most out of any state. New York, Texas, Illinois, and Florida rounded out the top five states with the most debt outstanding in 2021.
Don’t blame me, I just copied and pasted from who keeps track.
@Darth Pug: Of course the largest states with the largest budgets have the largest debt loads. Duh.
Never trust reports on a Friday
@50Cal213: Oh Canada, our home and native land!
@ruff kuntry: Our home and native land!
Dodgersnation trying to throw a wrench in the works.
Not so fast Tiger! We can’t find Shohei right now!
It’ll be the Giants for 3 days.
Oh the pain.
Fake news. My cousin saw him at the airport in Kansas City and he’s signing with the Royals.
Pretty simple game plan which MLB should not put up with past this weekend. I imagine the desperate Blue Jays have offered far more than the Dodgers, where Ohtani intends to go. Shohei’s team wants to get the LAD offer as close to the Toronto offer as they can, Meanwhile, MLBPA doesn’t like the idea that he’s leaving maybe 100MM on the table, maybe more, because he’s not going to go to Canada. And MLB finds it embarrassing that a player will give up a fortune to not go to Canada. So there we have it. Shohei to the Dodgers, maybe $400MM, turning down $6ooMM from Canada.
I love this lol. Just the chaos of it all. It’s a weirdly plausible theory too! Not that we’ll ever find out whether or not it’s true.
Please just stop until he signs.. this is silly. Where did he have dinner? Favorite dessert ?
A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
TOROhtani
Congrats, I’m glad he’s not in the national league west with the Dodgers
I heard Giancarlo Stanton is available for the Dodgers right now. Lol.
Can’t play hurt foot on bullpen gate Ouch!!!
For real though, if Ohtani does sign with Toronto there could be an opening to send Stanton to LA. He’d agree to waive his NTC for that, I’m sure
I’m sure they would rather bring back Jd though
SHOronto.
TorOHTonto
Canadohtani
Candiotti?
Dark – It’s really not a surprise.
The owner of the Jays is Rogers Communications.
Ohtani will become a national hero, the greatest Blue Jay ever.
And all his games will be broadcast by Rogers Communications.
The additional revenue in TV ratings and ticket sales and merchandise will more than surpass Ohtani’s contract.
Assuming they contend every season of his contract, which I don’t see happening. He’s not even pitching this next season, and has MAYBE two more seasons left from the mound. After that the franchise will be crippled financially. He won’t even be the biggest Japanese star in the game after this season.
Your nuts. He hit over 40 homers last year. He’s a monster at the plate.
Why do you not see that happening? Do you own a crystal ball? Otherwise you can’t even tell me who’s all the contenders are next season nevermind the future? We’re the dbacks contenders? Don’t lie amd say yes
AJ, do has anything to support your contention Ohtani will only pitch MAYBE two more seasons?
Either that or he becomes a huge burden on the franchise like Pujols and Miggy while the Jays struggle to compete for a decade..
and Roger’s will continue to reap in the cash
You’re right fever. When I was in Victoria Canada this summer every Blue Jays game was on the Television in every Sports Bar. They ARE the national team.
Well, I mean, I had expected LAD. Not a crazy shock, to be fair.
Welcomed by whom? Only the maple syrup drinking Canadians lol.
Wow
huh?
Glad it’s not the Dodgers
Shocked it wasn’t Los Karens
?
That’s what he calls the doyers, apparently
Aren’t puns supposed to rhyme slightly to be funny or clever
As a Dodgers fan, me too. He’s amazing but his elbow, the size of the contract, the length of time, I was never convinced it was the right move.
You might be the only one
Well me and my brother lol, so there’s two of us
I agree with Machina. Generational talent, but how long on the mound? Now the Dodgers should go spend that $500mm on pitching and a shortstop
Yep. Never thought the dodgers were front runners. Andrew Friedman and FOs highest priority has always been flexibility. Committing 500-600 million to have your DH spot locked in for 10 years would be absurd for the front office.
As a Jays fan, me too. I would have signed with the Dodgers. I guess he is wired differently. I am shaking! I don’t believe it is real. I’ve got to calm down until it has been verified.
Oh, I wanted it to be the Dodgers. Sinking $60 mil plus a year into a DH would have been fun to watch fall apart.
Yeah ohtani will be a bust
Um Wow?
no Shotime for you!
Wow!! Congrats!
At least its not the Dodgers
Omfg we are so back
Let’s F’N go!!!
This seems surreal and not true. Wtf
That new update doesn’t make me happy
this should end the Shatkins bs…
I felt it in my nuggets
In my plums!!
I’m glad it’s not the Dodgers and I’m a Dodgers fan. Too much risk for the money. He will end up being a high priced DH.
You may be right. Probably a blessing in disguise, as great of a hitter Ohtani is. Can now sign some SP. JDM probably back too.
Your right but we can’t think about that right now. Worry about it when it happens.
I would like to see the contract more front loaded for that reason. Maybe 50 mil in 2024 , 70 mil in 25-26, 60 mil in 27-28 etc. as long as there isn’t opt outs to worry about.
Shocked it wasn’t Los Karens!
I think I read that somewhere.
How many times are you gonna make the same joke that doesn’t even make sense?
That’s what she said
Lol they’ll make back most of it from marketing and merchandise
Sure some of it is made up in marketing and merchandising but Dodgers already do very well in those areas so they get less of a relative boost from that versus other teams.
It’s harder to reset that luxury tax with such a lengthy and concentrated contract.
Don’t get me wrong it would have been very fun to have Ohtani, Betts and Freeman in same lineup but such is life. Onto Yamamoto, who is a real need for the Dodgers.
You’ve got another Japanese star coming into the league this season which is going to literally split that, and maybe worse. Even Ohtani can be surpassed, and after his next elbow injury, which will be two years at best, that contract will be franchise crippling.
Angel fan here. You could be right. 2nd elbow surgery. I hope the Jay’s medical team did their homework.
How do you say 500 million in Canadien?
I saw a report that is saying its 10 years $600 million
US$ or CA$???
~$815 MM Canadian
Loony toons
Lol
Here in Canada it’s pronounced 800 million
That lineup is formidable
Toronto and Atlanta will have the best offenses in baseball
I guess winning wasn’t his number one priority after all
Usually it’s all about the $.
Why do you say that? Where would he sign that would make you say winning was his #1 priority?
Dodgers have 1 WS win in the last 30 years lol
That’s one more than most teams. But I think he means winning as being in contention year in and year out. The Jays don’t do that.
Do they though?….
You know they do, but you can claim it doesn’t count if you like. Would you like a do over?
1 real one
*
Could have said the same with him going to LAD too.
Huh???? The jays are good?? What’re you talking about?
Amazing! Game changer
After Ohtani and Soto join the division, the Orioles will jump in in the arms race by acquiring…
Oh wait, no one, who am I kidding
They got kimbrel
> They got kimbrel
Kimbrel ‘N bits and gravy bits
Cole irvin bounce back season.
Mike Trout. Angels fire sale begins today.
Boom goes the dynamite!!1!
Trade Vlad for a haul
Texas wants Vlad
A haul of what that would help us more then guerrero does now?
And just like that, NYY are #4 in AL east again
Will be Nightengale-like if someone jumped the gun here
I guess Farhan’s offer of unlimited Gilroy garlic fries couldn’t get it done.
Poutine may have been the Blue Jay’s offer.
Calling it , Jays sign Ohtani & Boston gets Yamamoto
Going out on a limb there calling that Ohtani signing
Soto is getting traded next, to an East coast team. Maybe the Mets, Nats or Uankees
get ready to learn Canadian, buddy
Man, he is still learning english, and now he’s got to learn canadian?
At least he will learn proper English.
With a French accent!
This legit made me laugh!
For sure, I know what yer talkin’ boot .
He’s not your buddy, friend.
Hee not your friend, guy
Add “eh?” After everything you say. Done
And learn how to say “poutine,” “Molson’s,” and “going oot and aboot,” eh.
Do you guys actually think we all speak French? It’s Toronto lmao
Oui.
John Stanton #selltheteam
Dave Roberts curse
So all that talk about wanting to be on a team that consistently makes the playoffs was just that… talk
Lol what????
Jays made the playoffs 3 of the last 4 seasons and 5 of the last 9.
I’m sorry, you’re right. I forgot they made the ALCS back to back.
I’m a diehard dodger fan and I’m hoping he goes to the Bluejays, I don’t think a contract to that degree is worth it..something high on salary and short on years…we need pitching and we can trade our prospects and keep it moving, congrats to them
Yikes!
Well at least he will wear Blue – can’t wait for the Dodger faithful. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket sounds about right.
As a Giants fan, I fully expect the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets to swoop up all the remaining desirable players over the next week, leaving the Giants with nothing.
Wait…..Chaim Breslow just signed Whit, Seth and JBJ
Holy freaking eh
Congratulations to the Blue Jays, it looks like they mean business.
I had a gut feeling that he was going north of the border. I read a while back that he wanted to go to a team that was not a big press conglomerate, he likes his privacy away from the game. He also said he wanted to go to a promising young team that had a lot of offensive tools..
Um, I hope he didn’t say that cause that ain’t happening. Rogers will be putting his picture on every item and product they sell in Canada. His face will be everywhere and on every billboard. Sorry Shohei.
Welp. At least it’s not the Dodgers.
Why would he sign a one-year deal when he can get >$500M now?
The team’s making sure he can stay healthy after getting hurt last year.
Exiled to Siberia.
Sell the team Arte! All time blunder to not put a good team around Ohtani!!!
Yes, so many blunders wasting too much Trout time.
Now flip Vlad to the Marlins for Luzardo lol
One can dream
No f’n way. Now they will sign Yamamoto and trade Manoah and Springer
What’s better than a new city of fans? A new country of fans!
I will wait til one of the big boys tweets it
I’d like to see if Derek Johnson and a change of scenery could get manoah back on track, I mean he couldn’t cost too much why not take a chance
Good luck!
Congrats Jays fans.
May the Cito be with you.
Dave Roberts just got “old yellered” in the parking lot.
That parking lot is still owned by ‘Boston parking lot attendant’. Haha!
Bro is gonna get the Duracell treatment on opening day at Dodgers Stadium every time he leaves the dugout
Good for the Blue Jays.
I’m glad I don’t have to see him in a Dodger Uniform.
I’m glad the Angels DH slot isn’t locked up.
I’m glad the Angels don’t have to go to a six man rotation.
I’m sad I no longer have this wonderful person to watch play for my team.
Well said!
I’m with ya.
I will admit I was wrong. I wont hide like others do. I was very sure it would be Dodgers or Angels, SF wouold surprise me a bit. I did not think Toronto would be it, no matter. I know there were Blue Jays fans who said that they have the bucks to come in with the biggest offer etc. Again VERY surprised.
I believed in my heart he was gonna be a Giant. I feel bad for all those Giants fans I convinced of this. Fortunately I personally am not a Giants fan. But I actually do feel sad for them today.
Yep me too. Thought it was the Giants for sure 100%.
as a giants fan honestly between ohtani and yamamoto I would rather the giants get yamamoto – younger, cheaper and solidifies a rotation this year. for me yamamoto and lee would be a great offseason
gardy, I’m a massive Giants fan and I couldn’t be happier!
Appreciate you telling me that, Agnes. Legitimately. I weirdly feel like I let down a bunch of Giants fans lol.
No one is “hiding”. Most of the world will admit they thought it would be LAD.
I thought since last summer there was no doubt it was the dodgers and am still surprised its not
Blue Jays signing Shohei is really gonna force the Yankees to sign Yamamoto. I’m OK with this.
Actually boston is going to get him or the cubs
I think its basically yankees mets or dodgers just bc of the money theyll be willing to spend
Yankees and jays game are going to be unreal for a few years now. i think they knew and thats why the yankees went out and got soto after turning him down for price reasons. I bet the Padres gave them a heads up when the jays backed off
If the Giants don’t sign Yamamoto there will be riots.
@DanUgglasRing One of our cities is gonna have some riots, in that case. (Just imagine if the Mets sign Yamamoto lol)
i don’t see why
Because we just traded away one-third of our pitching depth for one year of Juan Soto!
I still don’t believe this could be happening
How the actual best player in baseball go from the Angels to the Blue Jays? Like, dude, what are you thinking? Go to a big name classic team where your legacy can thrive and really become legend. Ooof, talk about doubling down on bad judgement calls.
If he wants privacy then Canada is better for him, outside of real jays fans no 1 will recognize him. Now he has 2 whole countries rooting for him. Also half of Canada’s population is how many people are in California. Calli and NY state added together have as many ppl as all of Canada
Dies he though? His actions never seemed to suggest that .
California Canada roughly the same. California had a a million or so more last I checked.
Have you seen LA? I live in OC, and let me tell you, LA sucks man. I am reasonably certain that to a guy like Ohtani, getting out of a disgusting city like LA and going somewhere like Toronto was a massive draw.
Exactly.. he would hit 50-60 HR a year at GABP, and with all the young talent they have, he’d be getting sized for a ring year after year for a decade! GO REDS!
Wow. So does Dave Roberts lose his job or…
The dude did the one thing Shoei said not to. He should be a Dodger for sure (if not a Yankee).
Nope. Dodgers gm should lose job.
I keep telling myself I’ll stop checking my phone for FA news every 2 minutes once Ohtani signs, but then I’ll just check every 3 minutes to see where Belly is going, and YY, and Dylan Cease news, etc. Addictions are unhealthy, but baseball got me about 35 years ago, and I’ve been hitting the vein since. I always tell my family it will be over once the season ends, but then you have the awards and the hot stove, and next thing you know, it’s pitchers and catchers time. Go Baseball.
Cards fan here, but I love your post!
Just come clean with your family Bro.. they’ll understand.. lol
Boring
Opposite of boring lol
Last year I felt it was Steve Cohen because he would not be outbid. I dont think the Mets made a bid. Maybe the inury scared them off I dont know.
Othani said he could not see himself playing in NY. There is life west of the Hudson.
Toronto is barely west, still the east. But very cool city and way more managed than nyc
Manageable
Wow. Surprised, shocked and intrigued. But hey, should be entertaining in the AL East. Super curious to know what the other offers were.
If he wanted to be on a third place team for the rest of his career, then why didn’t he stay in with the Angels?
Hey now, unfair shot at the Angels… they are a fourth place team, not third.
He wanted to be on a third place team, just not one that’s cursed with every pitcher blowing their arms out?
So he chose the team cursed with the one year wonders like Ricky Romero or Alek Manoah.
cause they’re likely to be a 4th place team?
of course so will Toronto most years
Or the Rox!
Up until he went to Dunedin i did think they had a chance, i thought my jays were the favorite then but he would go to Dodgers. I bet its 580 over 12 years. Now the jays have to go all out to win in the next 2 years
Baseball is so screwed up. Good for the Blue Jays but that contract is not going to age well.
You might be right but there will probably be some sort of opt out clause after two years in case his pitching arm comes back online.
Well this is not somebody from Ohtani’s camp. This could just be another speculator. But if it is true then the Cubs can get on with it and sign Bellinger and Hoskins.
You’re fkin kidding me
Well Toronto just one upped the Yankees, Yankees get Soto for one year, Blue Jays make a bigger splash sign Othani..
Who got the bigger bang for the buck???
Jays because they actually have the player extended.
This sucks for the Yankees, they might have to sign Yamamoto just to stay relevant. Darn it.
Jason Heyward, get ready to DH 162 games
He was signed as a platoon guy, and has great defense. Your comment makes no sense.
Jason Heyward, get ready to DH 162 games
Polly want cracker?
Glad that’s over with.
Damnit I was at the casino last night and almost jumped at wager of “anyone but Dodgers” paying 300-1 but I passed
300 to 1 anyone but the Dodgers and you didn’t place a dollar bet at minimum on that? Yeah. OK.
Vote for your favorite regurgitated comment below!
A) He might not ever pitch again!
B) He’s always hurt!
C) He should have signed for 2 years and re entered the market!
D) No one should get paid this much. I make less at my super important job!
E) This contract will somehow make hot dogs more expensive at baseball games.
F) Good! My team didn’t want him anyway!
G) (something racist)
H) $60M/yr DH
citing a dodgers fan page writer as the source seems discreditable. we will see shortly.
JP was a Dodger beat writer for years. He has sources.
Ah, appreciate that info.
I love this. Blue Jays are super relevant.
Well that’s a bummer. Oh well, time to pivot to Plan B for my Cubs…
Ohtani wanted to go somewhere where he’ll never be heard from again and still make a ton of money. Man needs his privacy.
Giants fans are drinking the hard stuff this weekend..
Very happy for Toronto. I don’t know if this puts them in the drivers seat for a World Series or not, but they’re trying.
There wasn’t an option to pick Baseball United in the contest. I had him signing with the Dubai Dragons for $1.2 billion in real life. I guessed right on Nola and it went south in a hurry. Oh, well. Maybe next year
Do we have another Arson Judge situation?
Fire Andrew Friedman what a colossal failure
How do you fire Friedman? Ohtani is the one with the decision here. Friedman could have given him the stadium and called to Ohtani Stadium, and it still would have been his decision to sign with whichever team he wanted to sign with, Everyone is so quick to ask for someone to be fired. These people are humans doing a jobs just like everyone else.
$600 million in Canadian dollars. Which is something like $100 million American.
More like a buck fiddy
“Then I said, ‘wait a minute, that ain’t no Girl Scout, you the Loch Ness Monster!”
If he got the $600M this would translate to …
600,000,000.00 US Dollars = 815,150,288.76 Canadian Dollars
The federal income tax brackets in Canada and the US are similar. In 2023, the top federal income tax rate in Canada is 33%, while the top federal income tax rate in the US is 37%.
So, he will be saving a few millions vs signing in the US.
It’s worth noting as a Jays fan I’ve had to listen to a narrative about how awful this front office is , and yes it’s ownership money but the money does not get approved unless there is alot of faith in the people running it . That goes for the Florida complex as well . I question if he will ever pitch again and what the contract will look like then but for the Jays to land this level of star is something 2 weeks ago I would say is not possible . Good time to be a Jays fan ( if true )
OK cool now y’all can trade Vlad to Texas.
Whoa, bro. Tim Hortons gonna make a fortune selling O-tani donuts.
Not totally shocked if this happens, but I sure didn’t pick them.
You hate to see it
Yamamoto will now go the most the Dodgers
Ill bet my life Yamamoto going to either Yankees or Zmets and Yankees imo win out and wont even be top 2 highest bidders!
Bye Roberts.
This makes the lineup average.
Toronto has a very large Asian community. I’m sure that was a big part of his decision. The Blue Jays might as well sign Yamamoto too because they are in Win Now mode. Like Soto with the Padres, Othani didn’t make a difference for the Angels.
Asian or Japanese? The distinction is very important.
There’s something satisfying when people are so arrogantly certain and end up wrong.
This is exactly why I don’t bet, I would have put all my money on the Giants signing him. Now let the floodgate open!
Toronto is the best place he could have chosen to nearly disappear from the spotlight.
I’ve been reading there been some push back by other media outlets. Hmmmmmm
Damn, what were the Giants thinking?
Just wait, it will come out that they offered the most money
I would hope they did. They need him the most. Whether he signs with them or not is not up to them I guess.
Well isn’t that a fine howdy do….
LOL this is hilarious on so many levels.
Dodgers fan here. I am bummed. But not exactly sure why! Maybe it’s just losing. Lol. He is a terrific player and congrats to the Blue Jays – well done. I am less concerned about losing Ohtani than about what the Dodgers will and can do – unless Yamamoto WANTS to be a Dodger, the Dodgers will be outbid by Mets or Giants (or maybe even the Yankees). But Yamamoto will be an overpay – as will Snell in all likelihood. Orioles can outbid Dodgers on Cease.
I think the path on offense is pretty clear – lock down JD, and get a strong bat that plays OF or Adames or both!
Surprised mlbtr was in such a hurry to get this out there they went off a dodgers nation report.
I think it will be the jays but that’s a bit more eager then one would think this site usually is.
Guess it’s got rumor in it but that’s still a low trusting site to use as a rumor.
It’s a rumors site. Rumors don’t always come from the most trustworthy places. Poor dodgers
Really? Wow wish I would have mentioned that. This site doesn’t post rumors from places like dodger nation. Or Yankee nation or any other nation. It’s not a gossip site.
They seriously jumped the gun and now the back reeling as begun.
Surprised they like to get clicks and make $
Surprised because they don’t normally do this.
Seems to me they report any news from any real source no matter how small. Nothing wrong with it. JP covers the Dodgers. You can choose to believe him or not. Maybe it’s official or maybe he is making a educated guess and if right he will be the one who broke it first.
Wow. Tampa Bay front office liking this. Lots of home games vs Yankees,Red Sox,Blue Jays
Alden González is reporting no decision has been made. I tend to believe him because Passan would have been all over this first.
But but but it’s a done deal, he wants to be a Dodgers player. I thought he was going to the Giants. I was wrong. All the Dodgers homers at MLB Network are crying in their Tommy Lasorda jerseys right now.
Not saying it isn’t happening, but I’ll need a better source than Dodgers nation to be sure
Yankees should strike now on Chapman now. Don’t let the Jays win the week.
Chapman? We’re goin all-in for Yamamoto, dude. Anything less and the winter is an abject disaster. If we traded away our 5-9 starters and are relying on Rodon and Nestor to be healthy…
Nope Boston will get him , Yankees got their prize in Soto
They’ll be getting in line with the Giants, Dodgers, Mets that’s for sure. Giants have some deep pockets
We got Arson Judged 🙁
Nah, I don’t think so, but kinda messed up about the backtrack. I looked all over the web and mlb news sites and couldn’t find a single source claiming it was the jays though. I’m sure Giants and, Angles and Dodgers are in panic mode right now on the phone trying to get some answers! lol
Better that than Anson Mounted. No happy days in Mudville
That sucks. I saw how excited you were. Hopefully you still get him.
Next up Yamamoto I say New York Mets.
Dodgers talking to Milwaukee about Burnes and Adames, heard names Muncey, Lux, Barnes, and prospects.
That leaves Chapman going to Dodgers.
Yamamoto to the Giants…that’s my guess
No, to St.Louis! That would really shake things up.
I don’t see them trading Muncy.
Trade Muncy. Keep Busch. Higher upside with Busch
As a Giants fan I’m disappointed, yet ever so thankful to Dave Roberts!
Can you blame him for leaving the shithole that we call California
More taxation in Canada. Plus they have Trudeau.
Yeah, Dodgers fans are miffed as if they don’t walk outside and step around human poop on the street downtown and then wonder why a Japanese man doesn’t want to live there anymore.
At least he will get to keep more money I assuming in taxes. I think this is why Seager left no state tax in Texas more millions in his pocket.
I mean choosing between Toronto and California is pretty crapples to crapples.
Meanwhile,@ the Friedman home…WTF,hey somebody get me J.D’s number!!!Keeping Roberts another decade and not getting this guy.Yep,seems bout right actually lol.Least Joe Kelly will get to keep his number.Everyone was really hanging on to that cliffhanger
Time to pony up the cash and get Vlad a nutritionist/trainer. Looks like he’s about to spend some time on the field.
Manoah can be his diet/training partner.
So what is his dog’s name?
I am thinking the dog’s name is “BLUE”
Guess then the whole dog’s name thing wasn’t true? Guessing everyone knows it by now? It’s Malort i.e. a famous cheap bad liquor created in and difficult to find much outside of Chicago. So it was all reporters making up stories?
I’m glad a team like Toronto can get a star like Ohtani, but now Baltimore has a tougher divisional opponent. I guess I get to see him more now.
Sign Yamamoto and Lee now Zaidi!!!!!!!!
He could have had nearly-guaranteed annual playoff appearances with the Dodgers, but instead he chooses the most difficult current path to the playoffs. What a bone-headed decision man. The best player in the world will, in all likelihood, go his entire career without seeing a World Series. It’s a huge career mistake IMO. In any given year the Yankees, Sox, Rays, or Orioles can now be good. Toronto can’t outspend the Yankees or Sox, and they can’t outsmart the Rays and Orioles.
Clearly you know nothing about Toronto’s ownership and spending history.
I know that they can’t match the $250 payroll the Yankees and Red Sox can muster should they feel like it.
Lol. Their (Jays) payroll was $251m in 2023. Tell us more, oracle!
Damn was it? Lol y’all sucked for $251 my guy.
Finished better than the Yankees and the red Sox “my guy”
Perhaps playing in the best division in baseball appeals to him.
He chooses the most $
Sounds like media sabotage
Hahaha to all the people who said we had no chance. Hahaha to Joel p
It is good for Baseball!
It’s not really, food for baseball if he was in La or Newyork. It’s good for teams.
Sorry but I believe your comment is contradictory!
Good for baseball would have been Ohtani going to the playoffs every year in LA. He will be lucky to see the playoffs twice in the next decade now. The Jays are decent, but they have to compete each year with 4 other teams who all have the ability to win 90+ (assuming the Sox eventually bounce back). It’s literally the worst case scenario outside of Anaheim, of the teams that were interested, if you’re a fan of baseball.
Dumbest comment of the night
“Conflicting reports.” Ruh-oh. This is either really bad for Hoornstra or the Jays. I’m still betting Jays, though.
with this story leaked I bet other teams will pony up one last ditch offer to him. I bet there will be high drama here
I guess he didn’t really want to win. Toronto has Bichette and Guerrero two young guys that will hit free agency soon. Toronto will have to open the bank again to pay them. They will not compete with the Yankees this year with Judge, Stanton and Soto at the top of that line up, plus the Orioles and The Rays will compete again next year, and the Red Sox I am still on the fence with, but it will be tough for Ohtani to be in the playoff consistently with the Blue Jays this will be another Angels signing. I wonder if the comments by Dave Roberts really affected the signing for the Dodgers. I just find it had to believe he would not want to be in a line up with Betts, Freeeman, Muncy, Smith, Outman, Heyward. In a way if this is all true the Dodgers will have tons of money to sign anyone they want now.
glad he’s going to make his own legacy outside of LA. sorry for your loss
“Stanton” LOL
Yeah I’ll bet Jason Heyward’s presence in the lineup made it a very difficult decision. Can’t believe he passed on that chance.
Or they can pay other players that will win more games for them.
Seriously? The Yankees have little good pitching left and even with Soto, they’re no better than a third-place team in that division.
It’s wild man. We will not get to enjoy his talents in the playoffs nearly as often as we would in LA. Enjoy trying to beat the AL East in literally the worst possible time to try and do that the sport has ever seen.
Gross
If this proves to be true, huge congrats to you Jays fans. AL East continues to be ridiculous.
Touch ’em all, Sho!
Nothing is official,Toronto might of jinxed themselves
Or in other words Arson Judged
DODGERS NATION IS FAKE NEWS TO LOOK LIKE BLUE JAYS LEAKED INFO!
Absolutely friggin amazing, if true lol
JP Hornstra has been a credible source historically. Until a month ago, he was working for the OC Register. He just went over to Dodgers Nation.
Glad he seems to be going to a team that’s fun to follow. I like listening to Shulman and Martinez.
But I will say that this media trainwreck is entertaining all on its own.
Hold the phone, AJ Preller is on line 1 with a better offer!
if he doesnt choose toronto, this website just lost credibility.
Why? They’re basing their reports of tweets of media following the situation.
Eh they did change the headline after the fact. At first it just said “Blue Jays Sign Ohtani” or something.
I agree cuz they also reported 2 years ago that Brantley signed and he didnt
Lol what?? Do you know what the word “rumor” means?
Can’t we just wait until there is an official announcement? The energy around this is stupid.
Why are you spending your Friday afternoon on a site called MLB Trade Rumors if you don’t want like … rumors?
Because they didn’t report it as a rumor originally. They said “Blue Jays Set to Sign Ohtani” or something of that nature. They reported it as fact.
Sorry for My Dodgers..
Shoulda kept your mouth shut, Dave.
Signing with the Jays only to get knocked out of the wild card? Why?
I’m going to go out on a limb and question Dodger Nation announcing this. It seems a bit strange to me.
At this point, they will accept an article from the National Inquirer on Ohtanis breaking news
Dodgers reporter playing 4D chess with how Ohtani’s reps threatened that leaks would be harmful to teams in the hunt for him?
I HAD THE SAME THOUGHT
Definitely fishy.
Blue Jays reportedly sign Ohtani and Cashman just traded 1/3 of his pitching staff for One-dimensional Juan smh Better get Yamamoto or you’re in trouble, Brian!
As a Yankees fan, I will say, this is unfortunately extremely true. But it was true really no matter where Ohtani signed.
He will be gone in a few years after the Jays need to sign Bo and Vladdy
Matt Levine has posted Jays/Ohtani on Sports Illustrated, seems like very little chance it is not the real story now. Anything is possible but sounds pretty legit. I am so happy is not LAD!
all that article did was reference dodgernation they don’t have new or different sources.
JP hoornstra is still the only reporter to say report anything. Hardly an official report.
Even after the news is official, Jed Hoyer will insist his team is still in it.
UM…
“announcement is expected as soon as tonight. Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet and Alden Gonzalez of ESPN push back by saying that a decision has not been made”.
If this is an Arson judge situation it’s going to destroy the Jays base
MLBTR how could you do this to us
I hope this is real! I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it!
He’s a maniac maniac!
I can see a new horizon, underneath the blazing sky. I’ll be where the eagles flying higher and higher!
What??? How does Toronto leapfrog LA? Well, if this is true it’s doubly time to get some pitching help, Cashman.
I think that signing Ohtani is a double edged sword. You are getting production out of him, there isn’t a question about that. The cost is what makes me glad he didn’t sign with the Rangers. $500 million is the initial price tag that I heard, it is likely going to be more. That is an aweful lot to invest in one player. They are getting a tremendous player, don’t get me wrong, but is he better than 2 $250 million players? 5 $100 million players? I don’t think so. I am also concerned about durability. He obviously won’t pitch next year, but how durable will he be in a dual role in the future? Too many questions for me.
JP also reported that Rogers owns the Maple Leaves.
well I was actually relieved for a bit but now I’m worried again
No way a big free agent is going to toronto. no way
Yeah, I thought Toronto was a strange destination for a Japanese player. But, the Corporate money the Blue Jay’s can offer made them viable. He had to listen probably. I just don’t think he wants to leave Newport Beach if he doesn’t have to.
So dumb. Those taxes and the travel will kill the guy. Plus, I’m sure Toronto trades some of their current stars if they sign him which ultimately still ends up in a team that’s just not quite up to the task. On the bright side, he may sniff a wildcard series.
Eh, it’s a pretty good division. I will allow that he might find himself within 3 games of a WC spot for most of any given season however. But the Jays are on the decline already. Manoah, Springer, Vlad, Cavan Biggio … the bloom is off that rose.
It’s shorter to fly to Toronto than it is to NY or Boston from most of the cities in the U.S.
But those teams aren’t in on him. He currently lives in CA, but I’m sure he travels back to Japan as well.
If true, I’m curious how much they’ll shell out for Vlad, Bichette and Biggio in two years when they’re FAs?
For Bichette I’d expect them to do so. For Vladdy I’d expect a negotiation. For Biggio I’d expect the door.
not much for biggio
Mark it down, Harrison Bader will be the Giants’ big offseason move, LOL…cheap asses!
Free Agent hitters are just not excited about that Park apparently. Bader would be an excellent pickup. Giants need to be patient, and perhaps focus on desfti g rhe best hitter.
So much for the Yankees and all the Soto hype.
The Blue Jays, with or without Ohtani, the Orioles, and the Rays are all still better than the Yankees in that division.
That’s why we need Yamamoto, dawg. Gonna be a riot if we can’t close that one.
I know, right? The Mets definitely need Yamamoto.
Nah, the Mets need to be in rebuild mode for quite a while. Yamamoto wouldn’t really do anything to help them anyway. Braves and Phillies run that division for the foreseeable future.
Cohen didn’t fly to Japan because they weren’t going to sign him. The Yankees can’t outbid Cohen so it will come down to where Yamamoto really wants to be.
I agree with all of this. If he comes to the Yankees, it’s because he wants to be a Yankee.
I’m torn if he does sign in Toronto because as a red Sox fan, that sucks, but it’s also hilarious to see the giants and dodgers lose out.
I’d like to see this happen just to watch the reaction of Yankees fans:
“Blue Jays sign Ohtani and Bellinger to one-year ‘pillow contracts’ as MLB teams slash payroll”
I hope this is a false report.
Sportsnet is owned by Rogers; doubt either of the two who work for them would be permitted to disclose if he had signed anything before the teams official announcement.
No real journalist would agree to such a condition. Sportscasters, probably, but not journalists. The only legitimate way that a journalist would withhold information like this would be if they received the information off the record or with an embargo attached. If these Rogers-employed reportes found out from sources, Rogers couldn’t stop them from publishing and expect them not to resign. Yes, there is a conflict of interest, but that’s the nature of covering media conglomerates.
This was all speculation based upon Jet tracking software. A private jet was flying from Santa Ana Airport to Toronto. So, reporters speculated on the possibility Shohei might be on that flight for an announcement from Toronto. It was more likely it was just Rogers’ Execs flying back after meeting with Ohtani.
I’m just glad the Giants didn’t fall into this trap just because it was the fashionable thing to do. ohtani is oh-verhyped. Much smarter to think about next off seasons prized possession: Soto, who is a much better hitter and a much smarter long term investment than ohtani.
Wasn’t for lack of effort. Just a lack of anyone wanting to play there..
Clown take. Giants didn’t want ohtani they want Soto.
Sure buddy, they didn’t want judge, didn’t want Ohtani and next year at this time it will be they didn’t want Soto.
Clearly up the crap in streets, stop letting everyone run around looting every. Then maybe someone will go there.
Stop watching fox news.
I agree, it’s become trash over the last 3 years. Newsmax is far, far better.
Fox news newsmax same thing. Any time any one bashes San Fran its obvious that it comes from a politically biased point of view, fed to them by a media outlet. The truth is SF still remains the best city in the US by a longshot.
take. Of course, they would have loved Ohtani. They couldn’t get him because they don’t project as a winner in a lot of
minds
Clown take
@davey gee Much better hitter you say?
fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&st…
Those stats are way wrong.
@davey gee You are terrible at this. That is their actual stats over the last 3 years, which clearly show that their output on offense is damn near the same (not “much better” in Soto’s favor, as you incorrectly claimed). I cherry picked nothing; simply like to look at the most recent three year window when comparing players.
I wasn’t talking about just the last three years I was talking about career numbers which I am right about. Soto is superior to ohtani. You’re a clown.
@davey gee Like I said: you are terrible at this. You’re not even right with your adjusted statements. You claimed SB is the only category Ohtani bests Soto, when Ohtani has a higher slugging percentage and more home runs despite playing in significantly fewer games.
Then you claimed Soto isn’t “far behind” in SB when Ohtani has 72% more career SB, yet claimed Soto is a “much better” hitter despite him having just a 8% better career wRC+.
Maybe you should stick to just calling people names since your baseball analysis is trash.
Oh I see you cherry picked his stats up against ohtanis mvp seasons lmao. I’m talking career numbers
Not this past season. Ohtani was the far better hitter this year this soto. (184 OPS+ compared to 158). Oh and there’s the thing where he’s a top 10 pitcher in the league when he’s healthy.
ohtani only has one more season of pitching with that arm. Go look at career stats. Soto beats ohtani in every category except sb, and he’s not far behind in that.
This is when the Mets swoop in and sign Ohtani.
Then he fails his physical and signs with the Twins?
Canucklehead.
Is this a dodgers page trying to get the blue jays disqualified? If so, that’s really crappy!
Dave Roberts is secretly running that site
Dave Roberts is running his mouth
Yep Ohtani will now take less $ because he believes the Jays leaked this to JP of dodgers nation.
I have to think without that “report” ohtani would be a blue jay tonight. Dodgers are playing chess in a checkers tournament.
A reporter trying to get more famous got wind of the private jet and believed it. Nothing more to it then that. That’s my belief. Also believe Ohtani will go wherever he can make the most $ irregardless of how much or little a team leaks. Dodgers front office would have to have low intelligence to believe that they could make this up and leak it to a low level reporter and Ohtani and his agents would believe that Toronto leaked it to a low level Dodgers reporter.
This better not be some BS article. Where is the secrecy the teams promised with Shohei?
Once you are told you are out who cares. Who cares before that. I would test him to see if he would actually take less $ just because something got leaked. Unless of course I really wanted him.
I cannot quit thinking about the Angel’s record with both Ohtani and Trout and why organizations would spend so much but this guy is going to make an organization a ton of money. He is so intriguing that a false report generated close to 350 comments in a half hour. This is why he will see a record breaking contract
Most other owners would have won with Ohtani Trout.
Especially since most other owners are more interested in adding actually good pitching, while the Angels like to go to the toilet store for pitching.
So true. Every year the Angels would pick up a couple of pitchers that had consistently bad stats but then one good year just before the Angels signed them only to see them go back to being worse then they have ever been. Every year we would know before the season started the rotation is going to fold. It’s not bad luck, it’s bad management.
Why because they got out a swing a bat for them? ye can bring a horse to water but ya can’t make um drink kid. And also you need about 20 horses to win. Get some sleep and awake to a brighter morning
I’ve been a Dodger fan for 50 years. I am praying the Jays report is true. Two TJ surgeries are way too risky and 10-year contracts are organizational suicidal. Think about it. They could sign two $25 million players, like Snell or whomever.
Agreed. There’s no guarantee he will ever pitch effectively again. 2nd Tommy John surgeries are no sure thing. He will get paid a lot to DH.
Even if. I wouldn’t even hesitate to sign him. He is a unicorn. The value of the team that signs him will probably go up more on Forbes list than the value of the contract. You can’t lose with this guy regardless of who signs him.
C’mon, Jacques Rogeau. Seal the deal.
It would be hilarious if Ohtani sent his plane to Toronto, but only Ippei came out wearing his usual Angels sweatshirt, Confused look on his face at everyone crowding around.
Seems like a waste for his career, the Blue Jays and MLB.
Bud Selig needs to stop this ASAP.
The dark horse here is the Rangers. They’ve spent almost nothing this offseason and CY said they can afford to pay Ohtani. As a Rangers fan I hope I’m wrong.
They lost their tv deal, they’re gonna shed salary
Arson Judge has entered the chat
Arshohei Ohtani the greatest Canadian of all time.
Texas still the ones to beat. And there pitching will get better too
Man, I really thought he was going to sign with Cleveland!
Breaking news: My sources indicate he prefers the West Coast. A’s set to jump in and sign Ohtani. He secretly wants to play in Las Vegas so he can hit the casinos and take in the, ahem, nightlife of Sin City.
How can you a be thinking this already been decided?
“The Blue Jays are set to sign two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, per a report from J.P. Hoornstra of Dodgers Nation. Nothing is official but Hoornstra reports a formal announcement is expected as soon as tonight. Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet and Alden Gonzalez of ESPN push back by saying that a decision has not been made”
Until is is made official and Ohtani says I picked my team. I will wait on see.
Because Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet get to decide. How does two Toronto Blue Jays (Rogers) shills get to decide that a decision hasn’t been made? Share your overlord source.
After living in this country from the last 6 years, he probably wants to escape. It’s not exactly safe here.
It’s incredibly safe for smart and or rich people.
It was definitely safer and cheap to leave in the USA 3 years ago.
Cheaper
We’ll see.
Hmmm…sooooo, will there be any money left to resign Vlad and/or Bichette. If not, I dont really understand this move.
$$$$$$$$$
Vlad Jr to Anahiem in 2025, just like his dad.
Even though he isn’t old enough for Angels to be interested maybe they make an exception. I like it.
Well, considering that Vlad is like a 2 win player and has highly overrated written all over him
Yeah, even though he will likely follow the path of Prince Fielder and Mo Vaughn, us Angel fans from the 2000’s would welcome Vladdy Sr’s son with open arms
They can still afford Bichette. Maybe flip Vlad and Manoah for salary relief at this point.
Even at 50M the payroll is not a ton higher this year
This year’s “Aaron Judge to the Giants” moment.
I initially thought this was a disinformation move to negatively affect the Jays’ chances of getting him, especially given the Morosi item that a decision was coming today and that the Jays had increased their offer over the last several days.
Then I noticed the alert was coming from a Dodgers aligned source, which would harm their chances as well with Ohtani.
I am guessing the Jays will be paying him for 13/600M.
40M
50Mx10
30Mx2
600M total
I think that Rogers has been highly involved and see him as a business asset to penetrate the overseas market, sell rights to games there, market him in Asia to attract other great talents and to spearhead a face of the franchise role that pivots the entire organization to be more baseball centric and not hockey centric. Also, Ohtani already has market penetration in Japan and the USA and this give him another whole country to market his brand. His endorsements across all three countries could match or exceed his annual baseball salary. All of those expensive new seats and venues at the stadium will be snatched up and highly raise capital for the team. Viewership is already the highest in baseball and will probably double, and you better believe that commercial rates will double as well. Merchandise will go through the roof in sales. I truly believe they could pay him 750M and they could easily recoup that due to his signing.
As owner of the Blue Jays is worth more than 24 billion dollars, heck he could throw another 100 million dollars to Othani, make the contract worth 700mil and it will not hurt the owner one bit if he wants to play in Toronto, face it Othani will be the face of the nation of Canada, only other in Canadian sports that could match would be Wayne Gretzky.
California still has a bigger population than all of Canada…what does being the face of Canadian baseball do for his legacy??? If he wants to put his stamp on the history of American baseball as the Japanese Babe Ruth, he is going to go to Canada??? Strange…
My source is telling me that the Twins are the wild card team signing Ohtani.
My source tells me Shohei has to climb Mount Fuji and talk to a Buddhist monk first.
I wasn’t much of a fan of Shapiro and Atkins until today. Amazing work to get this guy to join us! Rogers deep pockets didn’t hurt either.
NOW we have a world series conntender
Reports are now that Shohei has rejected the Blue Jays offer and is instead considering an offer from the Diablos Rojos del México
Haha wrong border
As much as I love Shohei, what an absolute letdown of a free agency story it’s been. Glad its the Jays over a more obvious top market candidate. Really hope Rogers can market him to the world as an ambassador of the sport, but if he wants to be ultra secretive always I guess thats up to him.
This site has been Hoornstra’d
Now we have “The Indecision”.
What?! Get your head out of the sand! It’s great for baseball and Toronto is a large market team. If they weren’t and weren’t a serious contender Shohei would have signed elsewhere.
He isnt just playing for T.O. it’s all of Canada. I’m sure that’s another appeal to him
Annnnd refresh. Lol this is hilarious. and Refresh
MLBTR’s, You guys really sh!!t the bed on this whole Ohtani thing! You are nothing but 3rd rate news aggregators. Done with you clowns.
someones big mad
@DodgerBlue23 media.tenor.com/rHkE1Yd0zLEAAAAM/when-harry-met-sa…
All they do is report what others are reporting. They’re actually really good about not putting out false information. The original post even said “reportedly” and just reiterated that Dodger Nation said something. Google search Ohtani and you’ll see how much crap they didn’t share.
To be honest, this website is called “MLBTRADERUMORS” and there should be an emphasis on the “RUMORS” part. I would actually prefer they put out more false rumors. To a degree. If its a solid rumor, i want to hear about it. I don’t need to wait for it to be official, i can go somewhere else for official news
When did TJ they ever pretend they were anything more than an aggregator??? Why we check it out.
Seattle have upped the ante by offering a section of Seattle not associated with CHOP, to sign with Mariners. To be called Ohtani Zone
Pull the trigger Cashman. Can’t have him on a division rival. I’ll up the ante, I’ll purchase a jersey to help with the $600 million dollar contract.
No-tani
(as of yet, anyways)
The Evil Empire is pissed and tired of losing. I’m calling it…they land Ohtani and Yamamoto.
Ohtani is not a NY kind of guy. Soto on the other hand is a perfect fit!
This is like a 10 game parlay that you thought you were gonna win until a last second soccer goal causes your parlay to lose.
When you think about it, the guy’s going into the HOF in an Angels cap.
Not likely
Not if he plans on playing 10 years with the bluejays. His 0 playoff wins with the Angels isn’t going to cut it
He won 2 MVPs with the Angels and let’s face it, he could have won 3 in a row if Judge had hit just ONE fewer home run. He’s not winning any MVPs with the Jays.
Just because some people didn’t get the memo doesn’t mean he didn’t decide. If his decision is in fact “imminent”, he’s decided. Sounds like he notified the Dodgers that he’s going to TO and someone leaked it to DN.
That seems like the most plausible explanation.
What are the chances of Ohtani confusing Ontario, Canada with Ontario, California?
Amazing.
Please pick the Giants.
Imagine this dragging out til spring training.
How far where the negotiations with the Jay’s?? I didn’t see money and years anywhere. So it might be pure speculation from the media or maybe Toronto got further then we know and something on Othani’s physical may have popped up. Maybe his elbow is in bad shape and the Jay’s backed off like the Mets and Giants did with Correa. The market might not over value Othani. I guess we’ll all have to stay tuned.
You have the anti-Jays fans on here saying they’ll stink even with Ohtani……which is pure stupidity.
You also have the forgetful Jays fans on here saying that they’re adding Ohtani to an 89 win team!
You’re also LOSING (at least so far)…..
Chapman – 17 homers 54 RBI
Belt – 19 homers 43 RBI
Merrifield – 11 homers 67 RBI
Kiermier – 8 homers 36 RBI
Total = 56 homers 200 RBI
Oh will get you 40 and 100 himself, but your lineup currently wouldn’t be as long. Early in the offseason, but just sayin….
I, too, think they’ll replace Chapman, Belt, Merrifield & Kiermier with random people off the street
They can get a Michael Taylor, Harrison Bader or re-sign Kiermaier himself relatively cheap to play CF. Davis Schneider would replace Merrifield at 2B and Espinal and Biggio could platoon at 3B. Ohtani replacing Belt means really all they have to do is sign a Center Fielder. Addison Barger could factor into the Infield mix and push Schneider to LF and Varsho to CF then you would only need to add a 4th OF
Jeff Passan tweeted and the deleted that he was signing with Toronto for 10 years $575 million
Sauce?
The deleted tweet. : -)
Ohtani was just testing the Blue Jays to see if the news would leak. As a result, the Blue Jays are no longer in the running.
The leak came from the Dodgers though?
I will say, if this ends up being an epic “Arson Judge” moment, I will laugh so freaking hard. Partly from relief that he isn’t in the AL East and partly from how freaking hilarious the schenanigans were.
The nervous energy of yankee fans who don’t want Ohtani in their division is hilarious.
Who wouldn’t be nervous, man? I don’t want Ohtani in my division, any more than the Diamondbacks or the Rockies want him in theirs.
The nervous energy of non-Yankee fans thinking that is hilarious.
Anyway, looks like we have an “Arson” Ohtani situation developing as it appears he’s made no decision.
@RobM non-yankee fans have been eating good for over a decade now. no one is nervous.
Kikuchi has a sushi restaurant booked privately for 50 people tonight so its starting to look real AF. Aso i bet Kikuchi will be resigned as part of getting Ohtani
Are you one of the 50 private people attending? Please report back. : -)
Ohtani neither pitched nor hit well against the Yankees overall. In fact, he had an ERA of 27.00 against the Yankees. We welcome him to join Manoa so Soto, Judge, Verdugo, Torres, Wells, etc can take batting practice… Or perhaps you misunderstood what nervousness is?
I loved going to see Ohtani start against my Rangers this year. It was a joy to see him pitch 6 innings of shutout ball, and hit a Homer and an rbi double.
Yamamoto is about to have his contract shoot well past $300M.
That would be a huge mistake. I like Yamo but how many Smurf aces have there been in MLB history besides Pedro?
He’ll be a Met, but at $300MM plus. The Yankees and Mets both seem to really want him, but if it comes down to money, Cohen can outbid anyone. I’d expect the Yankees to really push the dollar level high even if they know they’ll lose, and the Dodgers will probably step in too. Cohen will get his little man but it’ll be at a big price.
Agreed.
It’s not about who has the most money. Dodgers bring in more money than the Mets and they have a gazzillion dollars backing them. It’s a matter of what is the most a team will do not the most an owner has in cash.
Not quite. An owner can back the payroll with his own money if he wants to. That’s how the Mets were able to push the salary level up into the $43.5MM range AAV for both Scherzer and Verlander when no other team was going past the 30 range. What’s the difference between the Mets today, now operating the highest payroll in the sport by far, and several years ago when they ran like a mid-market team? Steve Cohen replaced the Wilpon’s.
The wealthiest team in the sport, by revenue, is the Yankees, although they shield the bulk of their revenue (hence profit) in YES Global Enterprises. Under your scenario, if I’m understanding it correctly, is they can simply outbid Steve Cohen, but that’s not really true because they operate a business. George might have done that, but Son of George operates the Yankees as a family trust. The Dodgers are owned, IIRC, but the Guggenheim Group. Like the Yankees, they will have a limit. I don’t see Cohen having a limit on something he wants. The man’s reputation is based on money. He flew to Japan to have dinner with Yamamoto. He’s not being outbid unless some other team goes crazy. He’s the one more likely to go money crazy. He’s shown that multiple times.
What I’m saying is they all can pay for him. It will be a matter of which owner says that’s more then he is worth first. All these guys have a breaking point on a player. It’s doesn’t mean they couldn’t spend more. Cohen could give him 1 billion dollars but he won’t. He could give him 500m and so can the Yankees and dodgers. But none of them will. It’s what price point does the other two tap out. 300m I can see all 3 still in, 400m I see them all out. So who will tap out at what price. They all can afford him at the price he will sign for.
Yes, agreed. I believe it’s much more likely the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox all tap out before Cohen.
Well said.
I just think this secrecy thing is a silly impossibility that almost feels like he doesn’t even want anybody to know who he’s playing for and thinks the contract won’t be leaked or announced either. Like with the inevitability of the leaks he sits back and goes “well now that everybody knows what’s the point? I don’t wanna sign if people know about it!”
Anywhere he’s close to signing there will be leaks.
It’s like the moon being made of cheese. Would he eat it? Just say yes and we’ll move on!
Maybe he’s just someone who doesn’t speak English as a first language and thus is less than enthused with the idea of being inundated with constant media & reporters over this situation
He doesn’t have to handle any of that. That’s his agent’s job during negotiations. When he signs with the new team? No Japanese player is great at English, so they can “hide” behind their interpreter. He’s hoping to sign a $500MM+ deal, then dictate very limited media access. He was able to do that in Anaheim. No way he could do that in NY, Boston or Philly. He might be able to manage that better in Toronto. I am curious to see how he handles this once the deal is signed.
I never assume any player is handling their own negotiations, hence why I specifically mentioned his being hounded by media and reporters on “where are you going” constantly instead
Yankees trade for Soto, Blue Jays say hold my beer. What an exciting time for baseball!
Yea i thought jays really had no chance. Then when he flew to Dunedin to see the complex i thought they had a real shot, but when the Yankees suddenly walked back on Soto being too expensive i thought he was coming to my jays. The rumor was the jays had the best deal cuz the Yankees thought Soto was too much, i bet the jays bowed out and the Pads told NYY so they had an idea were Ohtani was going IMO
Hell…why not do a LeBron James style reveal show? It’ll be quicker.
Well this is fun!
O’s, fan here, bring it on, we’re still better and so are the Rays.
@CarryABigStick
100%. O’s and Rays are much better overall teams. If this is a long-term contract, it’s going to look pretty bad in 5 years or so. If the Jays just add Ohtani, this isn’t going to make the offense much better. They essentially have 4 guys at the top to worry about and the rest of the lineup is pretty weak.
Mr. York that’s the case for most MLB teams. The Braves are not the standard they’re the anomaly. The goal is to get 4-5 mashers in your lineup. The other 4-5 should at least provide good defense. You try to pair that with 2 elite starters and a good BP and voila. Contender builder 101. How many teams outside of the Braves can you name that have more than 5 guys to “worry about” I’m not talking about good role players like Gleybor Torres either. I mean the type of guys you just throw ball 4 to on a full count or on 3-0 because you won’t risk it. 4 players of that caliber on your lineup is deadly.
Who’s saying the jays are done after this?
@Tjenks28
Me.
Same they’re bad
Rays are going to be mediocre next year. They are taking a year off to evaluate players since they have so many starting pitchers out with injury. Probably a .500 team.
I’m sure he’s not flying to Toronto to enjoy the weather
Exactly
I wonder though, depending on how big of a deal Ohtani signs how do you sell the Blue Jays players and fans that Guerrero and Bichette are most likely going walk when they are free agents
Who gives a F about those 2 when you have Ohtani.
Ohtani proved in Anaheim playing next to “the best player in Baseball” for six years that Ohtani alone isn’t enough to win anything but jersey sales
Who gives a F about Anaheim.
Ohtani’s landing at the bottom the hour! The flight is being tracked. I like to imagine that he’s flying to to Toronto to say “no” and then flying back to LA to sign with the Dodgers.
The Jays got a coup here. It’s a great signing for them, but I do wonder for Ohtani if he looked at the horizon at all. It’s a curious decision for a team that has big decisions coming up. They have the money to do it, but man Ohtani does not like the spotlight.
I’m surprised he hasn’t visited Pittsburgh yet… I guess we are officially out of the running
For those that have said that taxes matter to players, if Ohtani does in fact sign with the Blue Jays that would be a direct repudiation of that claim. Playing for the Blue Jays would mean paying 53.53% of his salary in combined provincial and federal taxes.
Yep players are special. They don’t worry about taxes.
Effective tax rate for LA athletes is generally around 52.5%, so not exactly a tax haven there either
I am in the same income level as a low level veteran MLB player and I pay less than 3% California taxes and a 12-15% federal depending on the year.
If you make enough money, you have people whose job it is to protect your money and minimize taxes. Boras has a small army of tax lawyers and accountants on his staff. I am sure every major agent does as well.
I am not sure that is possible in Canada. Do they have the same tax credits and deductions that we have here?
I wonder what the taxes are in Texas?
It would be whatever federal percentage he falls under. No state income taxes in Texas
50,000,000.00 Canadian Dollars = yearly
5,333,771,400 Japanese Yen
1 CAD = 106.675 JPY
1 JPY = 0.00937423 CAD
50,000,000.00 US Dollars = yearly
7,247,723,900 Japanese Yen
1 USD = 144.954 JPY
1 JPY = 0.00689872 USD
I’ve seen about 100 new faces that I’ve never seen in all my years on this site – or did everyone just create new ones?
Not new, although…I’ve been following MLBTR from the beginning, but have only commented I’d say a handful of times over the years. This hot stove season though,I just decided to comment more for whatever reason. Compelling stories I guess?
I’m sure my story echoes plenty of other “new” folks, too.
I’m all the accounts you’ve ever seen or not seen on here. MLBTR has only been you chatting with me all along
All the new posters have been a Longtimecomimg Lolol!
Maybe the Dodgers will now sign JD Martinez and pay for some pitching. Ohtani will fill seats. Dodger stadium is always full. I saw Ohtani play in Anaheim. and yes he’s a great player and will probably be 2-way again the future. That money right now is better spent on pitching and maybe a trade to upgrade at SS or one OF position. The Dodgers will make the playoffs without him. They need to find that way to win in the playoffs. A high paid DH will not do that.
Touchdown! In Toronto
Someone saw him on their Southwest flight to Toronto
I’d like to think Shohei is camped out in a lavish underground bunker with his weird little dog just trolling the heck out of the MLB community with tidbits of disinformation about his intentions to key obscure sources. Dude could keep this going through the holidays, like some twelve days of Christmas shenanigans. “On the first day of Christmas, Shohei gave to me, a Blue Jay in a pear tree…” and on down the line. C’mon Shohei, give us a jingle!
of course he doesn’t have a signed agreement with any team… thats why he is en route to Toronto.. to sign it!
Tell me he’s signing without telling me he’s signing…
baseball will now be bigger in canada than Hockey
Not happening. He’s not paying Canadian taxes and there is no way Toronto will outbid to offset taxes
Are you serious California tax rate and state income tax a whopping 13% is the highest in the country
Jeez, why is the site full of people with a hard on about taxes. No one cares.
If they aren’t willing to offset taxes then they wouldn’t sign many any free agents.
Why else would he be going to Toronto unless it was to sign with them?
To stock up on maple syrup?
That’s right!! Why didn’t I think of that?
Maybe he has tickets for tomorrow nights Leafs game?
To spend time in city before making a major life decision. He already knows LA.
Japanese are very polite. He might be going to Toronto to tell them in person that he won’t be joining the team.
Pulling a Kawhi Leonard on yet another Toronto team would be brutal
They hosted him in Florida. Once he seen all those Oranges he could have every spring it was a done deal.
They also don’t waste your time when it comes to business. They will just tell you no and move on.
I also don’t recall him doing that with any of the teams that was trying to sign him before he agreed to go to the Angels.
You guys might break the record for most site refreshes in a 24-hour period.
THEY REMOVED THE UPDATE ABOUT HIM BEING EN ROUTE TO TORONTO!! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
if you’re in toronto then you’re no longer en route to it
It’s still in the article, just not as a timeline update.
Ahh dang. Good catch. Wonder why they did that. I quite like their timeline style updates.
Can we just get this over with so the reds can announce they signed Yamamoto…
THIS IS WHAT I THINK!!
MAYBE DODGERS NATION PUT OUT FAKE NEWS TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE BLUE JAYS LEAKED INFO! TRYING TO USE REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY TO MAKE THE OHTANI CAMP THINK THE JAYS LEAKED INFO! THE DODGERS NATION CHANNEL SHOULD BE REPORTED TO YOU TUBE!
Heck no! Go to the top! Report them to Cameluh Harris!!
American journalism is dead. Not sure about the rest of the world.
You want the public to lose faith in your institution, keep crying wolf for that sweet sweet ad revenue.
Or happily risk being an agent’s patsy in the name of a scoop.
It just depends on how much the Dodgers want him or not.
Lol this article is literally right above another one saying his decision is imminent.
MLBTR fell off
It would be funny if he goes to Toronto just to decline their offer.
AL East is loaded now.
You could say the same thing about the Jays though. Pitching was great (like the Yanks), several holes in the lineup (like the Yanks). Ohtani is not a guaranteed playoff ticket for the Jays at this point until they do a little more work.
The Yankees don’t have great pitching.
Jays Era+ 113 (2nd in MLB)
Yanks 110 (tied for 4th)
Seems like great pitching to me..
..then again I like the Rockies so ALL other pitching seems pretty great to me!
Thanks a lot to Gerrit Cole and the Bullpen
If it is Toronto, then its very similar environment when he played for Nippon Ham Fighters in Sapporo, Hokkaido given that they are both colder cities and far removed from the big city (in JPN, Tokyo and in North America NYC/LA)
Plus playing in a dome (for the most part in TOR) with a fixed environment is probably a plus for him health wise…
I’m sure that turf field in Toronto does wonders for the body.
But why fight ham?
Until you think about the surface. Granted he will only DH this season and pitch every 5th day.
Trying to read the tea leaves here….I think it’s a done deal he’s signing with Toronto.
The private jet from Anaheim-to-Toronto story has basically been confirmed. He was in route, and should have landed by now. He’s not going on a Toronto vacation. He’s already met and talked with the Blue Jays’ management. This seems like a visit with the full intent to sign the deal and then get ready for the press event some time this weekend. The other teams likely haven’t been notified, but the Ohtani-in-route story leaked, so now they’re forced to acknowledge he’s traveling there, but they can still say with a straight face that no deal has been signed, because it hasn’t, but it will be within a matter of hours.
You are very astute.
That’s basically what I said, but you replied that he wants to get to know the city. Make up your mind.
Look up Mason Hall on twitter
Got a video of Ohtani off the plane in Toronto
Great video. Too bad it’s a video of him in LA, not Toronto. And who knows from when.
So, apparently it was not Ohtani on that flight.
twitter.com/BNightengale/status/173324788521365548…
Who is credible at this point?
My concern here is Nightengale is the one doing the debunking, when he’s usually the one getting debunked!
Has MLBTR ever hit 1000+ comments on a post before?
The less discussed Canadian GM Meetings are this week
I live in LA. There’s glitter on top of the crap pile, but seriously… a Japanese man with options does not want to live here. A decent, clean, safe, and non-chaotic city (where a DH is valid) will win everytime.
Yeah, people think I’m nuts but I seriously think this is playing into his decision. Someone like Ohtani does not want to live in LA. It’s just getting worse and worse too. I think this may have also played into his decision to not go to the Giants too. Maybe I’m wrong but if I had what he had, I wouldn’t want to be living in a place like LA or SF.
Do you really live in LA because I’ve lived in LA for over 40 years and it’s totally fine. Stop listening to propaganda.
LA City bad place or something something
Uncommon – Their leader and his mouthpieces have spoken on the subject therefore it must be true regardless of the facts.
Name-calling based on no information & your own mental illness is a wonderful quality. Hold onto it tightly loser.
I live here. It’s an f-ing mess. Leave your gated community once in a while. Or… hey.. just open your eyes.
I don’t live in a gated community or get my opinion from the news…. and I drive and walk around the city all the time it’s just as beautiful as it’s always been. Yes, there’s some homeless, but there’s homeless in every major city of the US. And yes, there’s some crime, but statistically crime is way lower in LA than other cities in the country. Facts.
Do you work for Newsome too?
Some homeless. There are an estimated 75 THOUSAND homeless… or unhoused as you’re supposed to say (which I don’t) in LA. That’s a city/county/state/civilization hemorrhaging life, safety & hope. And this was not the point of my original post, but if you’re gonna wax poetic about your daily sojourns through the sainted streets of LA with your water bottle, power bar & walking stick… you might as well be accurate.
UncommonSense, I currently reside in LA. Have for past 35 years. It is a sh!tthole! Please don’t lie to people!
al east is a lot more fun than it was 72 hours ago
Ohtani clearly values seclusion over relevance.
I think you mean privacy over celebrity. And good for him for that.
Humility is the virtue. Vanity is the vice.
why am I hearing about the Tigers getting Shohei?
This ohtani saga has officially become annoying. Glad Cubs ain’t in on this.
I’m sure you’d be saying the same thing if he was landing in Chicago to sign
Cubs have so many needs it’s not like they’re a player or two from championship contenders. That money can get 2-3 top players. Who know if ohtani will pitch at a high level again after this 2nd major injury. It’ll be a dumb decision.
Can you spare some of that copium for a fellow Cubs fan?
Jays are going to run the east now. Still won’t get past the Astros though.
A Rogers employee that I know just saw Shohei in Toronto. She also said there is a press conference at 6pm EST. Welcome to the 6 Shohei!!!!
FAKE NEWS
I guess it was. At this point, I don’t know what to believe. As before, we shall have to wait and see how this all plays out.
4 minutes ago:
Bob Nightengale
@BNightengale
Shohei Ohtani is NOT in Toronto.
Ohtani is NOT on a flight to Toronto.
Ohtani is at home in Southern California.
Well there’s at least one reporter who thinks all Japanese people look alike
There’s literally a video of him getting off the plane in Toronto on Twitter right now
That video is not from Toronto. Look closely. Everyone in the airport is Japanese.
Also nobody is wearing coats. In Toronto. In December.
I think it’s from the WBC.
Oh, well, if Bob said it…
Oh, well, if Jon said it…
Lol I don’t even doubt the reporting, I just don’t think anyone around here ever passes up a chance to clown on Bob.
I would have thought he would have landed out west with the Dodgers. As of now, nothing official, so we will see!
He is enroute for the final Boss Mission. Interview with Geddy Lee.
There have been some regrettable moments in sports journalism. This clown show is now up there. Seeing so many “credible sourced reporters” scraping the ocean floor for clicks.
He’s got the Dodgers contract in hand, going to Toronto to sign it. Effing with everybody. Front loaded 12×575 with opt out at 3, 5, 7 and every year thereafter.
I would bet it’s the Dodgers or someone close to the team saying Ohtani signed with Toronto to make Ohtani feel like they are leaking information.
Doubtful.
Psyche!!!
That’s next level click baiting if the report of him signing with Toronto and the report of him travelling to Toronto were both totally bogus. You almost have to salute chutzpah that strong.
There’s no indication the flight to Toronto is wrong.
Pretty much debunked now by multiple sources, including ones in Toronto. Ohtani is still at home in SoCal. Morosi is losing a lot of credibility.
A blogger in charge of a rando blog I can see being this wrong.
I am a bit surprised to see an MLB Network broadcaster apparently blow it like this.
Obviously, I’m behind on my debunkings this afternoon. I will say though that Nightengale is the one who initially debunked the story, and that’s concerning unto itself!
I’m out.. once the Angels didn’t give Paul DeJong a 3 year, 280 million deal, I gave up.. he hit 1 something last year.. come on guys..
Wait a minute.. The Angels get a mid-round draft pick once Ohtani signs with another team + they recently Inked Adam Kolarek!!! Sign me up.
I guess the flight to Toronto was just a skydiving adventure then?
This guy is a total land mine waiting to happen. The way has turned his free agency into a secret society is just the cherry on top. Whoever he “chooses” will be sorry
The whole cloak and dagger thing is a little goofy.
By all accounts he’s a good teammate and he’s obviously an otherworldly player. But these oddball secrecy games would turn me off if I were a GM. I actually applaud Roberts for just admitting the Dodgers had met with him. This stuff is silly.
I’m a Padres fan and hate the Dodgers, but I agree with you regarding Roberts. He clearly thinks it’s all silly and called it like it is. Kudos to him.
Roberts said that knowing Ohtani was not signing with them. It was his passive aggressive FU to the Ohtani camp. Also shows a complete lack of respect for the players. Very unprofessional.
That’s an assumption you cannot possibly know is true. I haven’t seen the video so I can’t comment if he sounded passive aggressive. But just from the text, not so much.
I appreciate real talk. Roberts gave a bit of it. I don’t think anything else is there.
Of course I can. Its an assumption, not something he outright said “I am being passive aggressive.” Its a judgement call 100% of the time and that is my judgement on this case.
Go watch the video.
Roberts lies ALL the time about injuries and reasons for losses. That is a given. So why wouldn’t he lie about this? Why wouldn’t he just say, “I believe we still have a shot at signing Ohtani” and let it go at that instead of purposely doing something he knew would antagonize Ohtani?
Pads Fans once again showing just how clueless he really is…
Hurry up and sign so LAD can move on and focus on pitching
The attention to Ohtani on this site is starting to approach that of Dylan Cease.
His flight to Toronto was diverted to Cincinnati. He is now signing with the Reds, unless he is boarding a Greyhound in Cincinnati and is really signing with Pittsburgh.
I should also mention, My cousin works for Greyhound and she confirmed he is on a bus to Pittsburgh.
I heard the plane was intercepted by a tie fighter squadron and that Ohtani will now be signing with the Yankees.
Yeah, because the Yankees desperately need another superstar player.
Sotomotohtani has a nice ring to it… Hmmm.
Wrong! My Uncle’s Cousin works for Yoda’s force ghost, and they claim that Shohei was beamed onto an Imperial starship and he is now undergoing Sith training.
Its starting to feel more and more like he’s staying with the Angels or might join the Dodgers
Way to F the Dodgers Roberts. Welcome to Canada Ohtani
If that’s really all it took to get Ohtani to pass on the Dodgers (assuming that’s what happened), if I were the Dodgers I’d be relieved to not have that hassle around.
Yes, Ohtani, you’re a superstar and people are going to ask teams if they talked to you. Answering truthfully shouldn’t be a big deal.
To be fair, this is all speculation and it’s possible, likely even, Ohtani wasn’t bothered by Roberts saying that.
Ohtani has to trust the team he’s going to. If a team betrays that trust during the courting process, he’d be a fool to think he could trust them once he signed on the dotted line.
Ohtani does his own thing and the team has to respect that if they agree with him or not.
It could be a huge deal, or inconsequential. And no one on this board knows which.
He picked the Dodgers 6 months ago. Nothing has changed.
If Ohtani decided on the Blue Jays over the Dodgers because of that (he didn’t), then the Blue Jays are signing a mentally unstable ballplayer.
Ohtani wanted things to be quiet. He will take 10s of millions less and play for a team and city he doesn’t like as much because of Roberts. Um yeah, Umm I can see this. Sure.
Little bit of a roller coaster with all the conflicting headlines that have been on this story already. Which is weird because it seems to me the story itself hasn’t really changed? At least Heyman deleted “Arson Judge.” Of course, Heyman was also wrong. God I’m so happy to be a fan of a team that’s not in any way involved in this particular drama.
Sure you are.
What if I added the caveat “as long as my team signs Yamamoto next week”?
Hoornstra trying to sabotage it for the Jays. Just making s**t up.
I find it interesting that the two reporters that have made the most definitive statements (Hoornstra and Morosi), have yet to follow up on anything. Particularly looks bad on Morosi now that the whole Ohtani on a plane story has been debunked.
Unless we’re to believe Ohtani has told the Dodgers he’s signing with the Jays, how would any of his likely sources know what Ohtani is up to? I doubt anyone thinks Hoornstra has a source from inside the Jays organization, and obviously if the report isn’t even true, then it doesn’t come back on the Jays in the slightest.
I’m saying that Hoornstra made the announcement like there’s a leak in the Jays camp. Ohtani wants secrecy and I’m sure he’s upset about that announcement.
The report would have to be true for it to matter though. Obviously if it’s false (as you claimed, saying it was made up), then Ohtani knows the Jays didn’t leak anything, so why would he be upset? The Jays can’t control false rumors.
Hoorndog just got tricked my plane rumor. Only thing he knew was that rumor. A move like this could have really boosted his career. And still can. But if he signs with Toronto it’s just random luck. This guy didn’t have any inside source telling him this.
It’s ridiculously to think Jays would leak this to any media and no words to describe how foolish it is to think pj would get the scoop.
NEWS ALERT: A former pitcher from Japan just landed in LA. He was heard saying he couldn’t wait to get back in Dodger Blue.
Who cares about Joe Kelly.
A more recent former Dodger that pitched in Japan LAST year was intended to be picked up.
If your comment was sarcasm, sorry I missed that.
If Ohtanisan goes elsewhere, SF needs to give YY 350M and rename the GGB the Golden Yamamoto Bridge. Whatever it takes.
Farhan cannot lose the offseason.
The Giants may have just kicked in $100m above the other offers.
I would absolutely love for the Giants to spend $350M on an unproven 5’10” pitcher.
Well then I hope you’ll love it even more if Steve Cohen spends $450M on an unproven 5’10” pitcher.
Maybe the gods are Arson Judging Canada so Shohei signs with the Giants to fix last year’s debacle.
Now that’s a good one!! Ha
Apparently, Cohen and Stearns met with Ohtani in California on their way back from their visit with Yamamoto in Japan, but there hasn’t been anything lately linking Ohtani to the Mets other than my pick when the Top 50 FA pool came out here…
Andy Martino clarified that this tweet was not from his account, but rather from an imposter (the handle is wrong). Be careful, lots of disinfo floating around.
I tend to hate comments whining about click-bait headlines, but the “undecided” language implies there is ACTUAL INFORMATION about him not having decided. If there is, y’all don’t have it.
There is a difference between Ohtani actually being undecided and y’all not knowing what his decision is. Be better.
BOB NIGHTINGALE TO THE RESCUE
Just like his sister Florence
At this point I just want him to sign somewhere. I’m tired of seeing all the BS about him.
Devin Heroux
@Devin_Heroux
Our CBC photographer Evan Mitsui is messaging me from Pearson Airport right now.
He confirms new reports that Ohtani was NOT on the private jet.
It was in fact carrying Canadian businessman Robert Herjavec and his family.
4:54 PM · Dec 8, 2023
This is honestly hilarious.
Absolutely hilarious. Well, if there was any indication of whether the Jays can control the message about courting Ohtani, this sure isn’t a shining example of it. Makes Roberts’ “faux pas” look tame in comparison.
It’s hilarious you think the Jays had anything to do with this. So they leaked that Ohtani was on a flight to TO that he wasn’t actually on?
The first article about it came from Dodger Nation, a Dodger fan site, and they haven’t taken it down.
So if anything, it was an attempted frame job by Dodger fans to make it look like the Jays had leaked it.
Didn’t say that they were responsible for it, but they sure as hell did nothing to dispel the rumors that he was on a plane for Toronto. I was just addressing the notion that the teams have a way of controlling the message around this circus, and if Roberts’ statement was a mistake, then allowing the media to run with the news about the flight was even worse. It got to the point that the CBC sent press guys to cover the “arrival.” That’s what made it so funny. nothing more nothing less.
I hope not, but everything about it just seems odd. Hoornstra has been around for a while, but I hadn’t really heard his name attached to anything of importance lately around baseball, let alone the Dodgers, and he was just announced (literally this week) that he was joining the Dodgers Nation team.
Dodgers Nation had a live stream talking about the report this afternoon, and now it seems to have disappeared from their YouTube channel. I watched some of it, and the host didn’t really address the 800 lb gorilla in the room and just kind of danced around the subject for an hour.
Dodgers Nation is more like a glorified subreddit than an actual news source so the fact that the news broke from them just seemed out of character. I just hope that it’s not their way of click baiting their way to more subscribers. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
Ohtani didn’t want teams leaking details of the negotiations (which Roberts did), that’s it. I don’t think he expects them to control the media narrative.
I mean, come on now, Herjavec and Ohtani totally look alike, so anyone could have made that mistake.
Caaaa-Ray-zeee
Well if Cubs don’t get him I just hope Dodgers don’t
Silly and childish behavior. Me think someone is a total clown and should get their head out of their butt
Said the Dodger fan realizing his team isn’t getting him lmao
Absolutely not. It’s just holding up the market. I thought the dodgers would get him but super happy the way it’s looking with exception of the Yankees missing out
The reporters are stumbling over each other trying to be the one to break the news first. They look pretty foolish at this point. Nobody knows except Ohtani and his agent.
His agent is slick. This will all come to an end when Arte finally realizes he is bidding against himself.
Notice have Jeff Passan and Ken Rosenthal have kept their mouths shut today. Refreshing.
I thought Passan said something big and erased it?
I thought it was Morosi that did that.
Silver lining to every cloud.
Interesting. You deleted the info from Morosi that he was going to Toronto from this article.
Because he never said that. He posed the possibility and conjecture based upon plane tracking software.
I am pretty sure he did, unless this Tweet/X is somehow not Morosi.
twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1733230365685236099
He quoted “sources” and mentioned nothing about plane tracking software. Even so, if he was using the widely distributed rumor that he was on the plane without actually confirming it, it’s just irresponsible on his part.
Either his “sources” are buffoons, or he saw the hubbub over this plane, figured it likely Ohtani was on it, and faked having sources confirm it to him so he could look like the guy with the inside dirt if it turned out to be true.
Again, yes he absolutely did. It’s still up on his Twitter.
When I said GOING, I didn’t mean flying, I meant SIGNING. At one point this article said that Morosi reported that Ohtani was SIGNING with Toronto.
It would make sense that if Ohtani’s agent called the Dodgers and told them they were out of it that members of the staff might have called this Dodgers writer and gave him a scoop on how it went down. The info he put in on how the Jays won the battle, info on Rogers president getting involved, and analysis of the Rogers company is fairly detailed. If it’s a fabrication, it’s a really good one.
Passan supposedly tweeted and then deleted the contract details, but that could’ve been made up.
I don’t know about that. It’s mostly made up of publicly known info about the company and some connecting of the dots on his part. That said, I would hope that it’s not a fabrication. I’d rather find out that he was duped by some bad intel than a liar.
Being from LA, I’m familiar with Hoornstra’s work in the past, but to be honest with you, he’s a guy who’s name hasn’t really popped up around here lately so the fact that he was the one to break the news just seems odd.
Everything about Rogers is generic information anyone can find in a few minutes and he didn’t even get it right apparently. According to my Canadian friends Rogers owns a minority share in the company that owns the leafs. Ok so they still have a revenue stream there. But that same company also owns the other sports teams.
My guess he bought into the private jet to Toronto news and Ohtani flying to Toronto would be a really strong predictor of him signing and after it’s known to be false he is now hoping that he signs with them so he isn’t known as a fool the rest of his career. If he has a career.
I love people saying that Juan Soto will put the Yanks over the top! Lol, loveable Yankee fans! They gave up most of their young pitching depth for 1 year of a player that will NEVER sign an extension with them! With his agent, there is no way he doesn’t test free agency. I have no dog in the race being a Tigers fan, but Ohtani signing with the Jay’s does make them a pretty formidable squad. That AL East should be fun to watch with BALT and TOR battling it out.
The ONLY option that Soto may have might be the Yankees. Who else is gonna have that type of cash???
Yankee haters are so funny. Michael King is the only real proven value the Yankees gave up. Higashioka is a decent backup but not a starter. The other pitchers are prospects who may or may not have good major league careers.
What makes you think the Yankees can’t sign Soto when he reaches free agency? As long as Soto feels comfortable in NY this season, Yankees have a very high probability of signing him long term.
JP Morosi never said Ohtani was on that private plane to Toronto. He posed the possibility. I thought it was more likely Toronto Execs flying home after meeting with Ohtani.
I don’t know where you’re getting Morosi only “posed the possibility”. His Tweet/X verbatim reads as follows:
“Sources: Shohei Ohtani is en route to Toronto today.
A representative of his agency, CAA, would not comment when asked about Ohtani’s travel plans.
At this hour, Ohtani does not have a signed agreement with any
@MLB team.”
I don’t know how we get “posed the possibility” out of that. Looks like he flat out said it was happening, according to unnamed sources.
Yes he did.
Madness
More like Nohtani
I heard that!
I guess when it was reported that his decision was imminent they were talking in geologic time.
Relative to the big bang he’s gonna sign any second now
maybe they meant his decision was eminent?
solid lol, ty
Go Cubs Go!!
Heh heh. Yep
I live in downtown Boston and just saw Ohtani in a car with Yoshida.
He is at Seiya Suzuki’s house in Chicago watching Netflix.
It’s time to be a Cub….
Ohtani just flew over my house. He waved at me from the window and was wearing a Jays cap.
Only in America.
The people who start unfounded rumors are among the lowest forms of life on the planet. Imagine being a Jays fan if he isn’t coming. Nobody needs to mess with people, either get all the facts straight or don’t post something. I just hope the final answer is not LAD. Ugh.
Just pick a team already….the winter meetings are already a bust waiting on your decision.
Enough of the build up. He’s going with the Jays then it’s unknown. If he has made up his mind then announce it already. Hopefully he isnt holding off for an extra 10mil from the Dodgers then back to the Jays for another 10. 550-600mil is beyond insane money so make a decision and announce it.
It’s bottling up the rest of the free agents and teams plans. I’m sure a lot of these guys would like to be signed by Christmas
He has to decide where he wants to spend the next decade of his life, that’s kind of a big decision. He doesn’t owe anyone a quick signing.
Fingers crossed he goes to Toronto. Still MLB and we can see him but don’t have to pay him.
Yawn. He’s not my hero.
Careful, all these ohtani fanboys (the majority of mlbtr commenters) will want to burn you at the stake with comments like that.
Pretty sure all actual baseball fans would fall under the category of Ohtani Fanboys.
Sorry guys, but there is a misprint. It was supposed to be the RAYS and his plane was headed to Tampa not Toronto.
He’s a fool…
The only real question is “what is bob nightengale reporting?”
His whole free agency process has been worse than “the decision”.
Farhan can’t afford to lose the offseason. The Giants may have just upped their offer by $100m…
Yoshinobu Tsutsugo just signed with SFG. He will play Interpreter.
865 comments. Nobody is reading this post.
I read it, do you remember the last thread that went 1000 posts?
id bet one of the bauer or covid ones
one of the few of those that were allowed comments
This just in: Nobody knows anything.
I know my last post is a fact.
Maybe assuming the position but why else get this guy..?
breaking news: Yankees swoop in and sign Robert Herjavec and his family for 11/550
Smart move to leave Shark Tank now with Cuban announcing his departure.
It’s also entirely possible there’s a team offering the most money, full stop, heads and shoulders above the other offers and the teams are all at their limits with what they’re willing to or comfortable offering- and he really doesn’t want to go to that team, but he also really doesn’t want to turn down that much extra money and he’s genuinely conflicted.
I don’t see the conflict. Say one team is $50 million higher than any other, is a 10% difference in salary really going to make you play somewhere you don’t really want to for the next decade?
Depends on the tax implications and at $50 million at his level, no probably not?
Like, you’re a mid-tier player and one team is offering you 5 years/$100M while another team is offering you 7 years/$150 million– yes, you are probably taking the extra two years and $50 million.
You’re Ohtani and one team is offering you 10 years/$500 million while another team is offering you 10 years/$550 million- you’re probably not particularly swayed by that.
You’re Ohtani and most teams are offering 10 years/$500 million but one team is offering 12 years/$600 million, or even 10 years/$600 million, but all other things considered you really don’t want to be on that team offering $600 million? Yes, that extra $100 million but on the team you would prefer to not choose, that is probably making you think really long and hard about your options.
Cubs just signed him.
Sorry, I was dreaming.
Harry would say “Holy Cow!”
Stop bumping this to the top unless something has changed.
Lotta supposedly respected insiders are showing their rears this afternoon.
To quote Monty Python “Get on with it!”
Or Marvin Gaye lets get it on
Absolute gutpunch to Toronto fans thanks to irresponsible reporting.
They still have a chance, but you’re right it sucks. Been there!
Ugh. Yes. Giants fans know the pain. There needs to be consequences for bad reporting like this.
They’ll be the first against the wall by our new AI overlords.
Ohtani trying to pick a team is worse than my wife trying to choose carpet.
Does the carpet match the drapes?
I saw Ohtani with a Chinese menu in his hand. Walking through the streets of SoHo in the rain.
It appears the reports of sushi dinner in Toronto weren’t true.
And his hair was perfect.
A reply. What did his hair look like? would have gotten you the A+
Heading towards 1000 comments!!!!!
Oh my God this is so ridiculous. At least LeBron had the decency to schedule an entire TV special on his decision so people didn’t WASTE THEIR LIVES doing this! Meanwhile, us idiots are just … here … checking in … waiting … for absolutely no reason …
The Decision is what finally did it for me and the NBA. This is starting to feel worse. Also, I probably should’ve been fired today because instead of working I was on full #ShoheiWatch refreshing a bagillion times lol. ~a M’s fan hanging on to that 0.1% chance mystery team hope
@goodvibes does your employer not monitor your internet usage, big brother style ??? So your IT department knows exactly how many times you refreshed lol?
They could probably tell me if I asked haha
I would do it LeBron style. Make that $ for charity or myself.
How long does it take to sign a DH. Shohei is ONLY special because in years past he’s played both ways. He’s going to miss his second full session of pitching because of injury. For those who haven’t followed Ohtani the whole time, there were questions about his elbow before the Angels signed him out of Japan. There’s no one way player worth the dollar amounts being tossed around. If he’s worth 10/$350 as a DH, what would a pitcher be worth THIS off-season, if they were going to miss the ENTIRE season? Peter Brand would NEVER endorse signing a player with these flaws to the contract size being discussed
Could it be possible that the holdup is because nobody is offering him a long term deal?
For no team to offer him a long term deal, when he has this much perceived leverage over teams (more than any baseball free agent of all time), there would have to be serious concern over his medicals. I don’t think he could keep that a secret. All these teams would offer him probably $40M+ to just DH or stand at 1B. The man could probably be an all star in a corner outfield position.
My guess is he just wants to take his time.
There is an epidemic failure within the game to understand what’s really happening. This leaves those who run Major League Baseball teams to misjudge their players and mismanage their teams.
First time poster….long time reader….is this guy any good?
He’s good, but he’s not exactly an angel.
Perfect
Perfectly done. Thumbs up would have suffice but gotta get this baby to 1000
Welcome Bobby!
Japanese players always come over with a lot of hype, then fizzle. Much ado about nothing.
Ichiro?
No, I believe Ichiro is headed for the Hall of Fame, or maybe not since he played half his career in Japan. This is something I should know.
Ichiro’s a lock for the Hall. 3,089 hits in MLB, (4,376 hits career). 10 ASG, 10 Gold Gloves, 60.0 bWAR, on the nose, 509 SB, 10,000+ PA, 2 batting titles, led the AL in hits 7 times, 1420 runs scored, 100 runs scored 8 consecutive seasons… and he’s Ichiro!
He’ll go first ballot, with 98.8% of the vote.
The conflicting location reports are pure gold.
Jeez worse than teenager picking prom dress. LA Baby ! It’s prophecy. Get lil dynasty action rolling up@ chavez ravine. Go Dodgers !
Enough already. Never thought he was a prima Donna but sure acting like one.
He isn’t doing anything. Just trying to make a major decision. Not his fault people are stupid and eat up fake news and reporters are willing to report it.
What’s he doing? Other people are reporting, he cannot help that.
Top-tier free agents don’t normally go quickly. If he really signs before the end of December, I’d say he wrapped things up pretty quickly.
Heard there is a new team entering the fray. Rumour has it Ohtani was seen out to dinner with George Brett and Mahommes. Radar had him on Santa’s sleigh heading from KC to the North Pole, bypassing Toronto.
I can confirm and prove this. I took a casting of his foot print and have a audio recording of him pretending to be a owl.
@MLBTR Can you please either go back to the timeline style updates or at least stop moving this article to the top of the page so I don’t keep having to read the same article over and over thinking there’s an update when there isn’t?
Original post. Copyright 2017, MLBTR.
All rights reserved.
Reposting without written consent will result in a stern scolding.
This just in…
Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.
you’re dating yourself with that reference 😉
…but I’m younger than Ohtani. 😉
HEADLINE!!
IT’S BEING REPORTED THAT OTANHI WILL DECIDE BEFORE OPENING DAY
@micg: OHTANI might decide by then as well.
Not at this rate
where’s waldo meets keyser soze
BREAKING: OHTANI TO DODGERS!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooOoooooo!
OHTANI to DODGERS 15yrs 850 Million!!!! Oh yeaahhhHHH!!!!
What drugs are you on?
The best money can buy Baron o’l chap!
The only way to travel!
FYI, I live a little over a mile across Prospect Park from Ebbets Field Apartments at Sullivan Place and Bedford Ave, and a block east from the Con Edison facility on the site of Atlantic Park, where the Robins/Dodgers played before 1913.
Enough already. What a circus this has become!! Not that 500 million plus isn’t enough now we play the where is he going game! Is he in Canada or at home in socal! These are the days of our lives
…but I’m younger than Ohtani. 😉
Pretty obvious the Dodgers are desperate and wanted to make it look like the Blue Jays are spilling the beans. Why would a dodgers reporter be trusted about information regarding a different club in a different league thousands of miles away.
Only information he had was that there was a flight going to Toronto and Ohtani is on it. Small time trying to make it big time making it seem like he has the sources and first to report it. Now all he can hope for is that Ohtani signs with Toronto. And he can say well duh, I broke this news last week.
F5F5F5
Wow sucks to be that guy who reported that he’d agreed to a deal.
I hope the complete loss of credibility was worth the clicks.
Hasn’t stopped Bob Nightingale yet
Nearly at a 1000
I heard Ohtani was wearing a blue shirt today – indicating the blue jays, I mean the dodgers. BUT WAIT – he had red socks on – oh boy – that had to be the…
Angels?
I mean, it’s obviously not the Red Sox.
I highly doubt Ohtani wants to bat between Yaz and Conforto.
Start drinking Giants fans.
Boring…what’s bellinger up to?
Waitng on Ohtani’s situation to be settled for him to become the defacto number 1 free agent priority.
While eating cheetos?
BRRAKING: OHTANI announces his RETIREMENT from Baseball!
Who could blame him at this point? I’m also ready to retire from baseball.
Wonder if DodgerNation’s “sources” are the same as Morosi’s “sources” (reddit). This is all very frustrating as a baseball fan. I’m not sure why CAA can’t even be counted on to manage/squash the nonsense being reported like the private jet story. All these websites loving the clicks though in spite of absolutely nothing to report. One of the most bizarre free agencies we’ll ever see.
I would love love love it if all of this came from Ohtani’s side just to mess with people. Does he have that kind of sense of humor? (or “humour” for the Canadian fans)
If he had that level of personality he could get a billion dollar contract.
Dodgers
Almost 1000 comments kids! Come on we can do it! Lololol
278 of them are from me alone so not that impressive.
Derek Falvey lurking, waiting for a failed physical.
maybe he’ll sign with the Montreal Expos
Speaking of loving the clicks and site visits, why has this same article been re-published at least 3 times in the past 4 hours
Because we all want to know and this is all we have!
$
So Kansas City isn’t out yet.
How about now? Okayyyy… how about NOW?!
Dodger blue 23. If you honestly think the dodgers would give a 15 year deal. To someone that is 29. When other than freeman deal the team will not give out long term deals. (Look it up). Your as dumb as your manager
Does Othani actually exist?
…in a galaxy far, far away.
Cracks me up how the media and journalists are having a panic attack over one man’s choice to keep his personal decision and life to himself. I read an article about how a journalist couldn’t understand why a man, who happens to be from a different country with different customs and views, would not want to share his dogs name. Or the baseball team he wants to get paid half a billion dollars to play for. He probably is just tired of the media’s shinola.
Or maybe he’s a weirdo.
Honestly, if you knew people from other countries, you may think they are weirdos too. He probably thinks all the Americans are weirdos. Sometimes you got to look through someone else’s eyes to understand where they are coming from.
I was born in a foreign country and have lived 18 years outside of the United States.
Nothing wrong with being a weirdo. This country needs more proud weirdos. Too many braindead robots here.
I’ve thought about it and a lot of situations like this are kind of no win from a PR/media standpoint.
A free agent or a high profile player acts like they don’t care about or think about money, are never seen driving high profile expensive cars, are never seen wearing high profile expensive clothes or jewelry, etc. and people wonder why they’re even pushing for so much money.
A free agent or high profile player wears gaudy expensive jewelry, drives the flashiest cars imaginable, are publicly known to own an ultra expensive mansion, etc. and people react like they’re entitled, immature, bad with money.
A free agent or high profile player very publicly gives tons of money to charity, has a charity organization that they do a lot of events with, etc. and people will say they’re just using it as a tax shelter or why would the team give them all that money to just give it away or people say ‘of course they have an organization you can donate to, so they can get the financial benefits of it and get other people to put the money into it/it’s just for their ego to publicly act like they don’t care about money’ etc.
A free agent or high profile player, when asked about their contract wishes or situation, says that they don’t pay any attention to it, that their agent and their accountant handle all of that and they just play the game and let that other stuff work itself out- people accuse them of being aloof and pretending they don’t care when they clearly do care.
A free agent or high profile player, when asked about their contract wishes or situation, publicly states they think they are worth a certain amount per year, that they are worth a certain number of years and want to get paid as such and people think they’e arrogant, greedy, egomaniacal and unlikeable.
A free agent or high profile player turns down an extension offer of an incredibly large amount of money, because the market dictates that’s an underpay and a massive discount and a ton of fans say ‘why anybody would turn that amount of money down is beyond me. Just shows how greedy these guys are. I’ve lost respect for him. I could live off that kind of money for multiple generations. I could never spend that amount of money. What a jerk.”
A free agent or high profile player accept an extension offer of an incredibly large amount of money, but the market makes it very clear that it was a massive underpay and a massive discount and a ton of fans say ‘why anybody would accept that kind of team friendly deal and lose out on x tens or hundreds of millions and be stuck with such an underpaid situation is beyond me. Just shows how greedy these teams are and how they pressure young guys without a lot of perspective with the first shiny object of an amount of money, knowing they’re ultimately shortchanging that player. I’ve lose respect for the player and the team. I feel bad for that player.”
Basically when it comes to high profile people and the money they make and how they decide who’s gonna pay them, how much they’re gonna get paid and for how long and how they use that money- there’s virtually no winning with public perception and public opinion. All variations on the players’ attitude, opinions, involvement or lack of involvement is subject to criticism by someone.
Fantastic post! Totally agree with most of it. Excellent, sir. I will check out your other posts.
ok chatgpt
lol if you really think that was chatgpt
@Trillion
goodness, that is a lot of words.
Can someone pls give me the synopsis of his post?
WHAT a hoot. My forefinger went numb on the scroll to comment, too funny time for a new thread. Thankfully i just scored 10 lb of ham, 10 lb of potatoes, and 54 eggs all for 22 dollars. The inflation after he signs will be ginormous.
Man… why did you make a poor man hungry at 1o o’clock at night?
Where did you acquire all that great stuff at such a great deal??
Kroger, used online coupons too. 89 cent a lb ham. 59 cent a lb potato. 11 cent per egg.
They really believed the Dodger Nation blog? Wow just wow.
Hoornstra’s not exactly a random blogger, he’s a longtime LA sports reporter and member of the BBWAA, he does have some credibility.
Not after today.
He might luck out and he goes to Toronto.
It won’t matter at that point. He already put it out and it got refuted. He already has the egg on his face.
Who refuted it?
Everyone literally everyone. Dodger Nation blog is already a joke and this clown did them no favors.
Where’d the earlier article go guys? 😉
It’s en route to Toronto.
Held-up in customs for a few.
Yaayyy I am 1000th comment yayyy
Booo.. a Dodgers fan is 1000th comment. Just kidding. Cool man. Gold star for ye.
Sadly people commented to previous threads. So much like the 2020 World Series, your comment doesn’t count
That’s all Ohtani was waiting for?
It’s time for the Twins to use their secret weapon and unleash the ghost of Kirby Cassandra Puckett to grab ohtani by the tommy john and plop him into the second row of target field. This is your home now, your keys are being made.
Like an actual horror movie.
Ohtani will turn the Blue Jays into a 4th place team with a losing record, just like he did to the angels….lol
Blue Jays are headed that direction either way, might as well have a big star to help draw some fans.
The Angels didn’t Ohtani to do that. Trout hasn’t helped much either. They haven’t had a winning record since 2015 and finished 4th in 6 of those 8 seasons. The Angels haven’t been to the postseason since 2014 and then got bounced 3-0 in the ALDS.
Fact is, in 64 years of existence, the Angels have only been to postseason 10 times with one AL pennant/World Series title in the same year, 2002.
The team might also want to consider another “name” change as well because as the Los Angeles Angels (1961-1964, 2016-2023) they are 0-10 in playoff appearances.baseball-reference.com/teams/ANA/index.shtml
im so bleeping bored!!! just pick a team please
Bored? Do you think your team is just waiting to sign some guys/make trades until the top of the pile is figured out?
Only three motivations for the Dodger writers’ article he put out that is completely unsubstantiated:
1. It’s the truth and Dodger insiders genuinely called him with the story.
2. The Dodger insiders are lying to him to troll him with devastating results to his reputation.
3. He lied and gambled that Ohtani to the Jays happens to make him look more in the know than he is.
It will be interesting to see how this all falls out. Jays Sportsnet was incredibly fast to deny this rumor, almost too fast, almost like they are stomping on it on purpose. The whole tracking of the plane was just crazy. Why would people do that? I am sure Rosenthal or someone will write a book about this insanity after it’s all done. I get the feeling more craziness is ahead.
Well, it’s #3. He gambled.
Journalists are so obsessed with being the first to break news.
Though no one cares the next day which journalist reported it first. Only journalists care.
Morosi did the same thing w/ the reddit plane trackers.
I don’t know what’s more mind boggling: that these national journalists who only cover this sport don’t have front office and player agency contacts to invalidate the BS before they post something online, or that MLB is permits journalists so incompetent to operate within the sphere of their bagillion dollar product.
Today was absolute amateur hour.
1. Seems unlikely – How would Dodgers insiders know what Ohtani was planning?
Another possibility is that the source isn’t with the Dodgers at all, and he does mention Rogers Communications’ motivation for signing Ohtani as if his source came from Rogers or the Jays, but why would he have that source and not a Jays beat writer?
All right…seriously now. With all of the irresponsible reporting, the frantic reactions of fans and journalists alike and unfortunately the heartache of the Jays fans (truly feel bad for them)…
Can Ohtani just sign with the Dodgers and let’s move forward?
What if he shocks the world and resigns to play in the NPB again? Wouldn’t that just be the greatest thing ever? Maybe he is tired of the crap here in the states.
It wouldn’t surprise me to learn he had considered this or received an offer from NPB team. Even if it were just for one year, given how private of a person he is and what a challenge rehab will present, he may prefer to DH closer to home while he gets the arm back into shape.
I left for a bit and moved on with my life. What did the person with the thousandth comment win!?!?
I had to like your comment to show I was still paying attention.
paying it forward
For Mariners fans’ eyes only:
facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10161043062243326
“even a choice has even been made”
If Shohei would have just told us the name of his g*dd*mn dog, I swear, this would have gone so much smoother.
Same name as John Wick’s dog.
Ohtani decision imminent, and could be announced before spring training.
The day before Opening Day
What’s for dinner?
facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10161043104753326
Here’s a good one
The Dodgers telephoned veteran reliever Joe Kelly this week to ask if he would surrender his uniform No. 17 to Ohtani
And Kelly said, “Sure, buy me a car.”
Jon Moronsi fell for the ole decoy ploy and the banana in a tailpipe. Meantime Shos at home with the pup, playing gin rummy with Nightengale and Trout. Go Fish!
We’re not gonna fall for the banana in the tail pipe.
You’re not gonna fall for the banana in the tail pipe? Ahehehe…
Tell Victor it’s his friend Ramon, from the clinic!
The pup is in the yard hunting game…..it is aparently beagle after all.
Back in 82, I used to be able to throw a pig skin a quarter mile!
The Dodgers cut costs last year just for this guy. Now they’ll miss? I can’t see it.
I believe they wanted to reset tax irregardless of the free agent class.
I wonder if Ohtani’s injury changed their assessment of his value going forward. They might have topped off with him at say $400M whereas the Jays might have valued him more highly and offered him $500M or whatever.
I think the injury should have drastically changed his value. At least 1 year no pitching. Didn’t it take him almost 2 years after 1st one? If true maybe 2 years. Uncertainty of what he will be after surgery. Whatever I would have bid I am now taking 100 to 200 million off minimum. His marketability isn’t the same as the guy who is a 2 way player vs the guy who used to be a 2 way player a long time ago with another team or kust a long time ago in Angels case.
Well said. But people (or outlets) are barely accounting for the loss of the only thing that makes him a standout among Freeman, Betts, Semien, Seager et al.
1,071 messages . Sorry by the time I finish this post it’ll be around the 1,509 mark. Who gives a flying f***! If I was the first pitcher to face him I’d direct my 100 straight between his eyes. This is ridiculous!!!!!! The amount of times I had to swipe up just to leave a message I’ll be needing the same TJ he’s had twice
It’s not all about you buddy!
First of all you don’t have 100 to through between someone’s eyes, and second if you did it should be directed at the dumbasses who were so concerned about being first they tracked a shark tank Judge’s flight all day hoping it was Ohtani
Comments over 1K…my memory is bad-but I think it’s an MLBTR record (pardon if I’m repeating same from others).
I believe the Giants are the dark horse who will shock MLB on Sunday
Never before in the history of MLBTRs has so much been written by so many about so little. “He’s signing with YYZ.” “The Dodgers have the edge.” “He wants to play in a dome.” Who cares? He’s a 30 year old, two time TJ surgery patient who’s never made the playoffs and cannot play the field. Apart from that…he’s great.
This! Please not LA. We have other needs for that money and years.
Ohtani, like Soto, is a 5 win DH, more or less. Great player to have, lousy player to owe $550 million to.
“But he might give us a few seasons of #4 starting pitching, at 120 innings a year!!”
Sure. So basically what you’d get from Soto and Kyle Gibson.
The difference being that Soto just turned 25.
@gardyparty And the similarity is that Soto is ALSO a player you don’t want to owe $550 million to.
Ohtani sux!!!!
BRRAKING: Shohei Ohtani FIRES agent! Scott Boras now representing 2-way phenom! Expected to sign IMMEDIATELY by February!”
Much condolences to Blue Jays fans. I admit that was a nasty trick they played on our Canadian brothers.
Be funny if he decides to go back and play in Japan again
You win.
Hello Saturday morning
Sunday @6pm the show is done
I’ll take the midnight shift on the refreshing page project, boys.
11:21 pm and alls well
On my fourth Rockstar and second pack of Marlboro Reds, I got this bro…
Hmmm. NFL Trade Rumors is really dead tonight, I wonder why? I mean, who is not totally jacked up to watch Panthers at Saints….
Just sign already so the rest of the free agents can fly off the board. It would be funny though if he just went back to play in Japan.
De plane! De plane!
Verdugo and Grisham are a big help until Dominguez gets back, but the Yankees gave up probably 3 WAR to get Soto’s 5 WAR, and the overlap at DH and in the OF probably ends up costing them another half win. That’s a huge premium to pay for a 1.5-2.5 WAR upgrade from Soto, and only in 2024 unless they’re forking out for both premium starting pitching AND pitching depth.
They may well have done better if they could have added Grisham and Verdugo, and kept King et al they otherwise dealt for Soto. That’s around 6 WAR, which Soto’s unlikely to reach (though it should be close) in 2024, not to mention giving up Thorpe. Ugh.
Add to that the $33m they’ll be paying Soto, and it was almost certainly a foolish, foolish trade.
You lost me at Verdugo. Read the room. It’s all Ohtani all the time until he signs.
Yeah kinda weird that you are mentioning this in an article’s comment thread about a completely different player not linked to the Yankees at all, but all that said- Soto isn’t guaranteed to be a pure rental. Nobody knows until he makes a decision about free agency and the various offers out there- and he may pick the Yankees and he may be a stalwart part of the outfield and the line up for a long time to come.
Nobody knows how King’s career et al will shake out and they have high upside, but are not guarantees of anything.
Grisham is a glove first player with some pop who can’t hit for average, so he’s not really an outfield solution on his own and quite frankly, yes, the Yankees could have had Grisham for pure salary relief from the Padres if they’d wanted him that badly, but the Padres actually pushed for the Yankees to take his roster spot and his salary off their hands as part of the price of getting Soto, so it’s not really an either/or thing, but a package deal there.
Michael King is not a very durable player. He’s excellent when he’s in the zone and healthy, but he has established that he cannot be counted on to play a ton, he’s on a short leash as both a starter and a reliever and despite his incredible run at the end of last year, that much repeated work could prove to be ‘dangerous’ for a player like him if he’s actually relied upon as a primary starter or swing man. He’s one of those players where, when he’s on the mound and healthy it’s special, but you’re always just waiting for them to announce he’s on the IL- I think most teams would be willing to give up a massive upside/massive question mark player like Michael King for a known commodity and durably productive player like Soto, even with Soto being a pretty typical power hitting outfielder and King being a very good pitcher, which is at a serious premium.
Nothing about this was foolish and if you think the Yankees can’t afford to spend an extra $30 million for an extra 2-3 WAR, you’e in denial or your applying your own concepts of intelligent budgeting to a franchise that makes more money than just about any other on earth and could afford to field a $300 million team every year if they truly wanted to.
@TTO If you refuse to think, I cannot help you.
Kinda weird, that an offhand remark gets 1,000 words from you.
Kinda weird that we’re all on here just refreshing and commenting further on a nothing burger article about something where nobody really knows anything and so one guy decided to add in a comment about a totally separate topic and someone engaged with them and then got criticized by the commenter for engaging with them about it.
Also I type fast, I think faster, so 1,000 words from me ain’t nothin’ but a thang.
Also that reply I wrote was 412 words total, well shy of 1,000 words.
I like your long comments TTO. Keep em coming. And Jack Strawb is a very intelligent commenter as well. Keep it up! You both are often better than the writers!
@AgeeHarrelsonJones You kindness abounds, my friend. Best,
Yeah Jack, I concur. This appears to be a lose-lose trade for both sides. The Padres get five players, none of whom will be elite, merely serviceable. The value of Soto for the Yankees will be offset by the defensive arrangement it imposes to their outfield. And the lack of pitching depth will sting them if Cortes and Rodon have trouble staying healthy.
With one small caveat (or two), in that if King delivers a couple of two-win seasons before departing to FA, and Thorpe turns out to be a #4 SP for the Padres (and it’s possible they put him into the rotation in April or May 2024 as he was good enough in AA to warrant a quick jump to the majors), they’ve lowered their chances of doing anything in 2024, but quite possibly boosted them in 2025 compared to simply losing Soto for a pick.
Speaking as a Yankees fan, I’d rather have Soto, but obviously this is contingent on the Yanks also replenishing some pitching depth. They can easily replace the WAR they lost with Brito and Vazquez, it just costs money. King was one of my favorite Yankees of the last 2 years though.
@gardyparty It’s true, but that further supports my point. The Yankees will be replenishing that pitching on the FA market, meaning it’s more money they’re spending just to bring Soto on board and increasing his effective cost to them, that they’re not spending on FA’s the way they would if they were effectively building from scratch this offseason (ie not adding Soto).
you win with stars…true in every sport..
@Reply to tigerfan1968 I’d love to see the study supporting that, compared to winning with good players. Even one such study. Just one
You also lose a great deal by signing the wrong stars, or paying far too high a price for them as happened here.
This would have been a perfectly sane move had Soto’s 2024 salary been, say, $8m. At $33m, the trade borders on the absurd for a player who has been worth an average of 4.7 fWAR / season over the last 2 years.
Wait wait! wait! was that a MlbTR Get Smart reference? so Dave Roberts is the one that broke the Chief’s Cone of Silence so Max couldn’t use it?
1,111 comments! Wohooo!!
I’m going to keep clicking, refreshing and commenting. Maybe they will get enough ad revenue to fix the comment reply going to the bottom. Yes I know you can delete it but it refreshed automatically on me. Not a big deal. Just more comments.
Mandela effect. In my reality my reply went here and screen refreshed and I couldn’t change it. So I replied to myself about what happened. Now it’s just what I replied as a original comment!
Go read the BearenSTEIN Bears!!!
Depends I mean Depend which book. Brb in a jiffy.
Man,the comments here are so insane.
Your team isnt good enough with him, yet our team is so much better with him…
Canada sucks…the yankees are better regardless…
Dodger would be unstoppable with him ..but cant with all the talent anyways..
Too much money….unless he signs with my team.. then the perfect amount lol
The end of the day, he signs with a team who can afford to spend it and wed all be so lucky to cheer for a team willing to spend like that and have a player of that talent!
The hate is stupid.
The sport needs growth.
Go baseball!
We’ll aren’t you just a little ray of sunshine
@SweetLou My favorite was being scolded for going ‘off topic’ in a fundamentally pointless 1,500 comment thread.
People are… something.
That is because he is coming back to Anaheim. bwahahahaha
Can we somehow convince Shohei to sign a split contract where he plays the first 3 months of the season with the Blue Jays and the last 3 months with the Dodgers?? It’s only fair to the fans after all this hullabaloo & ballyhoo.
They can alternate playoffs each year if the Blue Jays make them. Join the Dodgers after Jays are eliminated. I kid. Not a Dodgers fan and have no reason to tease the Jays.
1/3 Jays, 1/3 Dodgers, 1/3 Ham Fighters, 1/100 retired…
@Ignorant
King Solomon approves of this message.
Do it, split the baby.
Let’s all prepare to have our minds blow….again
It’s like a surprise party when you know it’s coming!
Comment
Muted
Stop the click bait articles – Shut UP until it’s announced – This is ridiculous – Sign with the Pirates or somethin – This is absolutely ridiculous – I HOPE he ditches my Dodgers because I’m tired of the drama fer god sake
You should write for Dodgers Nation with all the crap you’re making up
I am SICK of all the Drama – The Dodgers should tell him BYE BYE – This is all so freakin STUPID!!!
He’s a freakin Drama Queen and I could care less where he signs at this point!!! Let’s move on people
Can’t. Won’t.
He literally hasn’t done a single dramatic thing, it’s entirely the media and twitter creating all the drama.
Good riddance if he doesn’t choose “fans” like you
@Skruf
ESPN is airing Lebron’s “The Decision” again so we can get hyped up. Next will be a special on which retirement home Rich Hill has chosen. Stay tuned.
Seriously, it hasn’t been that long and the man has a right to hear the pitches from each club. In the end, I hope he gets to play some playoff baseball. He is probably the closest thing to a true “generational talent” although the phrase is way too overused.
I figured out an Ohtani contract!! Give him 10/$350m guaranteed and a $24m bonus for any year he pitches. For 2024 he’d only be a $35m DH. In 2025 he’ll be a $60m two way player. 10/$600m in a prefect world. Shohei will not be able to pitch the next 10 years. He’ll come back in 2025, but still need a 2nd TJ within 2 season of getting back on the mound. His pitching days are numbered and giving him 2-way money the next 10 years when he won’t be a 2-way player for 10 years is stupid. $350m base, with up to $250m pitching bonus works for both sides
Dodgers 12yrs/700mil straight up. No opt outs. Full no trade clause.
Or he can just take 500 600 whatever guaranteed.
This is what I think the Cubs offered, ’cause it’s totally their style. Ohtani gets like $350-400M guaranteed just on his bat alone. But with incentives on pitching, it could be potentially worth up to $650M or more long-term if he reaches certain thresholds. This takes alot of pressure off the both of them, and it could be worth more long-term. Shohei comes across like he likes a “prove it to me” challenge. But I think anyone that gives him $550M+ guaranteed… will live to regret it. I still think long-term this guy reverts to being a corner OF, and maybe later in his career if the bat erodes, picks up the ball and tries to be a relief pitcher to play deep into his 40s. jmho
Amazing reporting here. Undecided!! OMG
Okay lads and gals, burning the midnight oil here on the Left Coast. My refresh finger still feels fresh, or maybe it’s just numb. Let’s go Shohei, make up your mind, it’s only the rest of your career and what team you want on your HOF cap.
Yeah no dude, he says
He’s wearing an Angels cap into the Hall. He’s not winning 2 MVPs for another team. And he might not even pitch for another team.
Whomever pays him over half a billion and 12+ years is buying that cap.
What a terrible take gardyparty, we havent even seen the best pitching years out of Ohtani.
Nathana Eovaldi was considered done after two TJS (*which Ohtani has had only 1, this recent surgery was smaller and less serious than a full TJS) and has gone on to become a frontline horse with two World Series for two different franchises.
Ohtani is built way more insanely than Eovaldi, and his confidence in his ability to be the best pitcher in the game is even stronger.
My easy bet: At least 5 more Top 5 CY finishes during a 10 year deal
You know not a single person cares right?
Jon Morosi says he’s sorry guys:
“Today, I posted reporting that included inaccurate information that Shohei Ohtani was traveling to Toronto. I regret the mistake and apologize to baseball fans everywhere. I am deeply sorry for letting you down.” On X
ISOB, Has he offered up a blood penance though yet?? Us burning the midnight oil would like to know?
Morosi the worse. JP just believed de plane de plane was real and assumed it would end up being official tonight or tomorrow so he reported it as it’s a done deal from his source. Morosi the risk reward isn’t there because he is already one of the most famous. He should have a higher standard. Shame shame he failed this city.
Graduated from famous to INFAMOUS all within 1 little X post…
I’m a real hole so won’t let people forget about Morosi or JP. And I love to say de plane de plane. Heyman at least actually had a source it seems. These 2 clowns just pretended they did whenever they heard de plane de plane from wherever that came from.
Better then sleepy time tea
Why apologize? It’s about the same garbage everyone else is putting out. Not like he is held to some higher standard.
Gonna pay you back for the way you treated us @ Kamp Krusty that one year!
The point is, Simpson, a dare has been placed on your nards.
This ruined my image of Jerry Dipoto running down Ohtani in the airport like one of the Hallmark movies…
“Shohei, don’t go, I know the Jays have deeper pockets, a real offense, and a more dedicated ownership group, but we have closer proximity to Japan, lots of Japanese culture, Driveline Baseball, a great pitching staff, and a fan base that is prepared to support you no matter what!! Please, Shohei, we can be better!”
@ThankGod I actually had it visualized just the opposite with Shohei begging and pleading with Jerry to please allow him to play for the Mariners, and Jerry just shakes his head and says “Nope, we can’t allow you to play here…please take someone else’s money. John Stanton needs to build another wing on his 4th mansion.”
I think Ohtani doesn’t like the finalist teams, maybe he secretly wants to go to a team like Seattle and is waiting for them to get involved. Maybe he is just looking for more control on his pitching and/or contract options/length, but he’s clearly not happy or he’d already sign. He doesn’t appear to be someone to mince words or delay when he knows what he wants. That being said, I’m convinced based on these apparent sightings and subterfuge he’s the real Keyser Söze!
Shohei is the real Oroku Saki!!
Or he’s a pr!ck. Since your comment is awaiting moderation.
The key to Springfield has always been Elm Street! The Greeks knew it..The Carthaginians knew it…Now YOU know it!
You let me down, man! Now I don’t believe in nothing, no more! I’m going to law school!
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt. (Abraham Lincoln)
Just me or site isn’t as smooth with over 1000 comments?
5 am eastern oh wait excuse me 4 am central and Ohtani is still undecided according to mlbtr headline. According to unnamed sources though who instead of rewarding a famous reporter who faithfully spreads whatever information they want they instead tell someone named jp at something called dodgers nation, the deal is done and Ohtani is a Blue Jay.
I’M REPORTING from Shohei’s mind right now. I got in! Ok let me listen. Oh, wow. Wow!!! Wow!!!
Oh yeah. You think your special. Huh. Well I’m. I’m in his dogs mind. What you think about that? And guess what? I know his dogs name! And I ain’t telling you!
You’re both wrong. I spoke to his unknown married wife. We all know the wife has the final say in where their husbands play. And she said it’s been obvious, Ohtani wants to sign with the Rays. He wanted to play for either the Marlins or the Rays because neither team has many fans at their games and are all but unknowns to the media frenzy markets.
Considered going to the Marlins, but then they screwed up and left Ng go as their GM. Plus the Marlins aren’t as competitive every year like the Rays.
So, the mystery team cat is left out of the bag. The Rays will swoop in and sign Ohtani. He will be able to pitch his 3-4 innings on his pitching days and still be able to play the field and bat on the other days. It’s a match made in heaven!
Low key media team.
Minimal fans.
Competitive team.
Can continue to protect his pitching arm by pitching less innings per game.
Can still play the field and bat.
Can still enjoy the sunny warm weather as California.
He can play under a roof in a climate controlled stadium. Like his Japan Nippon Ham Fighters stadium.
And because his mystery wife said so.
All you writers, don’t forget to report “I” reported first in a post here on MLBTR!
Exactly what I saw. I feel so special!
Yeah, but just remember to acknowledge that I reported it first. Cause that’s all that matters in the world of media…. Who reported it first. It has nothing to do who they signed with or how much money the player will be raking in off of fans. It’s all about who reported it correctly first.
i got you
Ok got something. My source tells me there is a private jet leaving today from LA to Las Vegas. Ohtani is believed to be traveling there to check out the city before signing with the Athletics which could happen as soon as tonight. No chance it can be some other rich guy. Feel free to report this Morosi just give me credit for 1st!
Someone has booked a flight from LAX to MXC with a request for a sushi meal. Confirmed, Ohtani signing in the Mexican league next year. He has requested a sushi meal on a flight before so its obviously him.
There is also reportedly 4 Latina stewardesses working the flight and he had Latina stewardesses on a previous flight confirming his preferences for Latina stewardesses. This confirms he will be signing somewhere in the Latin community.
More to come.
As a follow up, it wasn’t a 29 yo asian man who ordered the sushi meal. It was a 9 year old white girl on a flight to Auckland NZ. Upon follow up, she thought sushi was Gummi worms.
As per further follow up it was not an Anglo minority child. It was a middle aged Latina mother of none taking a connection from LA to Winnipeg on her way to Denver.
As per a source, there is a middle aged young Asian man on a flight from Miami to Regina, Saskatchewan. It may or may not be Shohei Ohtani. Confirmed, Ohtani to the RoughRiders.
There is a guy at my gate from NYC to Thompson Manitoba, we are headed up there to study the migration of polar bears. The guy could be a high Mexican with eyes a little shut due to the cannabis effects, or could be Asian… But it could be Shohei signing with the Winnipeg gold eyes, or just getting to the polar north to make meeting teams easier. Word is Shohei LOVES polar bears. And the fish pulled up there is sushi grade right out of the arctic ocean.
More to come.
Breaking news. Ohtani has procured the Gronkowski party bus. next stop San Martin. Following up in Ivory Coast, then Caracas.
A fit middle aged Asian fellow seen in NFLD, on a flight to Heathrow. Word is he has an interview with some club named the Patriots of New England. No sources to follow.
From what I read in an article and understand. One of the reason Ohtani is against the Yankees and Mets is they are a huge market team with too much media attention. He doesn’t seek that season long attention. Which also makes huge sense in his wishes of no team he is talking to about signing him not revealing he is talking with them.
So, with that said, why are the Dodgers even any consideration in the Ohtani sweepstakes? They too are a huge market team with plenty of media coverage and as we know in the latest development…a loose lips manager Dave Roberts.
To me it sounds more like the Dodgers and the media know the New York teams can’t generate the buzz and income off of Ohtani’s frenzy. So, they need to involve the Dodgers into the fray to make some money for themselves.
If, the Blue Jays really are close to signing him. My guess would be it’s going through the physical part of the signing. Thus, the reason why it hasn’t been made official yet.
But on that note. It could also be that always known unknown “mystery team” is going back and forth with Ohtani and the Blue Jays on how much money they are willing to give to him.
So, till all is said and done, the mystery team (The Marlins? Who would have seen them coming or being in the mix?) will come out the winner in the Ohtani sweepstakes.
Oh, and all of the media companies will be winners too. Because once again they were able to entice every big market teams’ fans into reading their speculative articles.
Ohtani, announce who your new team will be so the writers and fans can begin their next rumor mill frenzy on the Yamamoto sweepstakes articles again.
I can see Miami. Oranges are rare in Japan and Florida has oranges.
The articles claiming Ohtani hates the spotlight/ media are completely blowing smoke out of their rears. He loves the cameras and loves doing interviews, and he wants to win more than he wants money.
Him wanting to keep this major life decision on where he’s living the next decade or more private in no way means he hates big markets.
Also he has to deal with the players union. If the team he really wants to play for only offers $500 mil but the Mets have a $600 mil offer on the table, he will not be allowed to sign for $500 without insane legal pushback.
Maybe legal isn’t the right term. But I get what you are going for. I think that’s true to a point but if it’s really not about the money for him and he prefers X over Y and the difference is between 50-100 million I would commend him for going where he wanted to play, and if he goes for the money I couldn’t blame him either. I expect some blowback if he takes the lesser deal but ultimately he’s getting a lot of bananas. More bananas than I’ll ever see.
Why is that? Are personal preferences illegal now? Where in any legal document does it say the players union decides what contract a player can and can’t accept?
Ok, so if he loves the media and spotlight and wants to win then he “is” going to sign with the Yankees or Mets. Right? Oh wait, are you saying they are no longer capable of winning then since that’s his reason for not wanting to play for them?
Or what makes the Dodgers prime to sign him? Are they guaranteed to win? No.
Actually, there are a lot of teams capable of winning. Look at this year, the Rangers won. The Diamondbacks finished second. I guess they are prime candidate teams to sign him too.
Sounds like your reasoning is blowing smoke out your rear too.
I’m just here for the free refills….. Wait where am I again?
I’m just here to read the comments posted. More interesting and no more accurate than the writer’s articles. I can’t wait to rave about XXXXX poster on the comments reported it first before a writer did.
Yesterday, in my mind, Shohei was holed up in a luxurious bunker with his little dog having a hoot trolling an entire sports community for the LULZ. Now I’m not only convinced of that, but also fully believe Shohei is also in the midst of some cosmic designer drug-fueled cross-dressing anime cosplay month-long rager with sex robots. A post-lobotomy Manny Machado is also there drueling in a corner under Let’s Go Brandon weighted blanket.
With a my pillow
While the sitting POTUS awaits his next diaper change and ice cream cone.
or he is at thr Beach taking a nap on his blanket while not giving secret service to Kennedy.
Saw he would get 220 of his 440 and changed his mind. I would have too.
Seems like the biggest beneficiary of a contract with the blue jays would be the Canadian government
For tax dollars or something? Ultimately those tax dollars get repurposed into services utilized by the Canadian public, so Joe Ordinary from MooseJaw Saskatchewan could possibly benefit from this as well.
lel. What a gong show.
If the world gave a hoot about baseball, the Saudis would sign him for 10 years/$1 trillion, tax free.
Braves make complete sense and I’m not an Atlanta fan.
Is Uncle Steve gonna steal him?
Based on the net worth totals uncle steve cant compete with rogers communications if it comes down to the most money
This is really becoming a joke, MLB catering to one player, just make up your mind already please so we can get on with the rest of the off-season.
Just sign already
The only way Jon Morosi can save face is to perform ritual seppuku.
This just in…nothing!
Like if mlbtr was the first thing you checked this morning.
Ohtani’s best friend is Yusei Kikuchi.
Rumour has it Ohtanis dogs name is a hint to were he ends up according to sources.
Well since His dog which is man’s best friend is named after Kikuchi. That would put him signing in Toronto.
He will be introduced at the Leafs game tonight. Marketing 101
Ohtani Is a drama queen.
I bet which ever team signs him, never makes the WS!
I agree. That whole thing about winning is bs. Toronto is not in great long term. Winning shape. Once Bichette and Glad are up that team has nothing long term
Vlad and Bichette both have several years remaining until they become free agents. It’s far from a given that one if not both of them will not be extended long term. It will certainly be difficult to fit both of them in long term if Ohtani is added for sure though.
“Several years” as in two each. Both can become free agents following the 2025 season.
The way Americans react when they don’t get there own way is so funny. Hold out a little longer, Shohei.
Americans? How about everybody all the time everywhere. Go into the world ferchistsake.
Yes. Americans. Reactions like this to a good dude doing absolutely nothing wrong is so American. Me me me and me. It’s one of the reasons you are currently the most ridiculed populations on the planet.
No chance. Too many self absorbed Americans being self absorbed Americans to laugh at. The world loves it.
…
Ladies & gentleman, ‘good dude’ Peter & his electric prejudiced ego. He’ll be here all week.
Dude. You’re A typical American. Your head is so far inside yourself you have no idea how the rest of the world thinks. The big American ego has you thinking you do. But you don’t.
I argued with a 17 year old nationalistic xenophobic narcissist. My fault. Please move on with your life Petey.
Angels fans are hoping Trout still has Shohei on the line.
Angels fans gave up hope a long time ago.
If the Angels sign Ohtani, then they will have the same 73-win team that they’ve been for the past five years.
I guess this means Christopher Illich, his Mom and the rest of the Detroit Tigers’ organization are out on Ohtani and therefore, because the they didn’t close fast, out on pretty much most everything else as well.
I’m disappointed……I even bought some soy sauce to put on my pizza……recovering from my Wasabi buzz…..
He’s going to sign with the White Sox and instantly make them World Series favorites
I have it on good authority he’s going to change sports and play wide receiver for the 49ers.
Impatiently waiting (tap tap tap)…
Sure hope Shohei decides soon. I believe the floodgates will open on the FA market afterwards. The Cubs have been the quietest so far. Could be a good sign for Cub fans.
Go Cubs Go!!
Ohtani already spends his off-seasons in Seattle. Seattle has best rotation in baseball. Here are some of the notable MLB players who have come to Seattle and many of them still live in Pacific Northwest!
Yoshihisa Hirano
Hisashi Iwakuma
Munenori Kawasaki
Nori Aoki
Kenji Johjima
Satoshi Nakamoto
Ichiro Suzuki
Kazuhiro Sasaki
Masao Kida
Shigetoshi Hasegawa
Mac Suzuki
Yusei Kikuchi
Cool story bro
Im starting to believe a team went way over the top with an offer. Maybe 80-100 million more than the Dodgers/Jays. Ohtani is giving them a bit more time to see who comes close enough…
All of this unnecessary drama and requests for unusual levels of secrecy make Ohtani seem very self absorbed, and makes me like him a lot less. Having said that, I would be quite happy if he signs literally anywhere that is not on the West Coast!
Shotime just tell Boras you want to be a Redsox and to get it done whatever it costs…The Yamamoto, Yoshida, Ohtani Triad awaits bruh lol
No news today? Have all the “sources” that never existed dry up?
According to JP he has better sources than the mlb network, espn, athletic. Ohtani to Jays. Just need mlb union approval etc etc etc.
Best plan of action. Hard to back track out of this. Hope he does sign with Jays and give a big I told you so.
So if Soto is in NY and Ohtani goes to Toronto, doesn’t Boston HAVE to pick up Hader? Snell?
Looks like the Dodger haters aren’t going to be happy
Why? We’ll all be having the last laugh when…
Ohtani has arm surgery again in a year or two and Dodgers are stuck with another 8 years of a contact and lots of money tied up in a player who won’t be able to play and win a playoff game for them.
As well not be able to sign many other players because the Dodgers will be always over the luxury tax.
We’re happy and partying!
Just announced: Ohtani signs with Dodgers. Surprise.
Congratulations ChiSoxCity! ChiSoxCity reported here first on MLBTR!
Way to go ChiSoxCity!
You won an award for the best baseball reporter.
Way to go!
Way to show all those writers who think they know what they are talking about.
10/$700 million
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOD PLEASE NO
Are the folks running this site asleep?
Sure am glad the Jays didn’t sign him for $700 million
Blue Jays TR last post is 18 hours old! Oh well. Move on and sign 2 or 3 more players that will actually solidify your team. 1 player doesn’t win WS. It takes a whole team. Think of how the other dodger players feel making chump change compared to Ohtani. There is bound to be some ego issues in that dugout for sure.
Good luck Dodger Nation!
conflicting reports: the plane to toronto has or has not landed yet.