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!