Shohei Ohtani’s Decision to Reject the Blue Jays: A Year Later, the Pain Still Lingers
The Toronto Blue Jays have made several attempts to land some of the top free agents in recent offseasons, but the team has had little success. In the most recent offseason, the Blue Jays missed out on Juan Soto, who signed a massive 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. However, it was their failed pursuit of Shohei Ohtani the year prior that still stings the most.
In 2023, the Blue Jays were considered one of the top landing spots for the two-way superstar, Ohtani. Despite high hopes, Ohtani ultimately signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now, new details surrounding Ohtani’s meeting with the Blue Jays in the winter of 2023 have emerged, adding even more pain to the missed opportunity.
Shohei Ohtani’s Visit with the Blue Jays: A Heartbreaking Reminder
According to Ken Rosenthal and Andy McCullough from The Athletic, after a meeting at the Blue Jays’ spring training complex in Dunedin, Florida, Ohtani left with Blue Jays gear in tow, even wearing a team hat. To make matters worse for the Blue Jays fanbase, Ohtani’s dog, Dekopin, was dressed in a Canada jacket, a gesture that seemed to signal a strong connection between the player and the team. However, days later, Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving the Blue Jays fanbase with nothing but disappointment.
The Pain of Losing Ohtani: A Year Later
Although the Blue Jays were genuinely interested in Ohtani, the expectation that the Dodgers were the favorites to land him was prevalent. What caught many by surprise, however, was the heavily deferred nature of his contract. Ohtani will be paid $680 million from 2034 to 2043, marking a long-term commitment that underscores the Dodgers’ belief in his value.
Ohtani’s first season with the Dodgers has only made the Blue Jays’ loss more painful. He became the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, leading him to win the unanimous NL MVP award. Ohtani posted a stellar .310 batting average, .390 on-base percentage, .646 slugging percentage, and 54 home runs, alongside 59 stolen bases and 130 RBIs. On top of that, Ohtani led the Dodgers to their first World Series title in his first year with the team.
Looking Ahead: Can the Blue Jays Bounce Back?
Despite the recent string of disappointments in free agency, the Toronto Blue Jays still have some hope for the future. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette both expected to hit the open market next year, the Blue Jays may have another opportunity to lock down a superstar and finally achieve the success they’ve been striving for.
