REVEALED: Shohei Ohtani was NOT aboard private jet from Anaheim to Toronto as disappointed Blue Jays fans learn the flight in question was really carrying Shark Tank's Robert Herjavec

In what must have been a first for both men, baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani was mistaken for Canadian businessman and Shark Tank star Robert Herjavec on Friday.

The confusion unfolded in the afternoon and early evening as MLB's top free agent was reportedly en route to Toronto amid rumors he's leaning towards signing with the Blue Jays. With MLB Network's Jon Morosi reporting that the former Los Angeles Angels star was flying from southern California to Toronto, fans began tracking private jets in hopes of pinpointing Ohtani's exact location.

One flight in particular seemed destined to be carrying Ohtani after originating in Santa Ana, which is near Anaheim – the city Ohtani played in for the last six years.

But soon thereafter, USA Today's Bob Nightengale and the New York Post's Jon Heyman both reported that Ohtani never left his southern California home.

Ultimately, CBC photographer Evan Mitsui confirmed that the private plane wasn't flying Ohtani to Toronto, but rather Herjavec.

The Founder and CEO of global cybersecurity firm Cyderes did have some fun with the confusion by reposting NFL Network's Rich Eisen's playful message on Friday evening.

'To everyone hoping to spot Ohtani,' read Eisen's post on X, showing a smiling Herjavec waving.

Others enjoyed poking fun at the situation as well, but none better than Merriam-Webster, which confirmed that Ohatni is 'not' in the company's 'citation archives.'

Sources recently told DailyMail.com that the Toronto Blue Jays are the current favorites to sign the Japanese superstar over other teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Francisco Giants, and the Los Angeles Angels. 

With contract offers rumored to be in the $600 million neighborhood, the two-way sensation is believed to have met with  Blue Jays officials at the team's spring-training complex in Dunedin, Florida earlier in the week, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has also revealed that his club has met with Ohtani.  

While there are many different variables at play when it comes to signing with a Canadian team - money being one of them - sources told Mail Sport that Ohtani's desire to win is one of the main drivers for his decision.

'He feels that Toronto will be able to compete for years to come and he would be a beacon for other free agents to join him to create a winning team,' sources told Mail Sport. 'And he would also be able to live life out of the constant LA limelight.'

Sources added that while there is some familiarity with the state of California after playing for the Angels since moving to North America, playing for the Dodgers could prove to be daunting - as Ohtani values his privacy.

While Ohtani understands that the Dodgers will continue to remain in the mix for a World Series title, he also knows that, 'there will be a lot of baggage that comes from being on that team and always having to be the star off the field while he is making his star continue to rise on the field.'

Sources added: 'He needs a little more convincing for what many believe to be the inevitable of him joining the Dodgers, it is definitely not a guarantee.'

Ohtani is hoping to make his decision before Christmas time and sources reiterated, 'it is really looking like Toronto will be the pick. It is going to take a tremendous offer and situation from another team for him not to choose Toronto.'

Since arriving in Anaheim in 2018, Ohtani has developed into MLB's first true two-way star since Babe Ruth.

He won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 and the AL MVP award in 2021 and 2023.

In 2023 alone, Ohtani led the league in home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and total bases, while posting a 3.14 ERA and striking out 11.4 batters per nine innings.

Unfortunately, he suffered another serious elbow injury and underwent his second Tommy John surgery, meaning he won't pitch again until 2025 at the earliest.

Despite this, Ohtani is rumored to be in the running for a contract approaching $600 million.

Toronto was widely considered a dark horse to try and land Ohtani, but now it appears it's only a matter of time before he packs up and moves to the Great White North.

Last season, the Blue Jays made the AL Wild Card round before being swept by the Minnesota Twins.

If he does indeed join Toronto, he'll team with other superstars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.

The Jays have made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, never once winning a game in the three Wild Card series in which they played.

Toronto last made a deep playoff run in 2016, when they went to the ALCS before falling to the Cleveland Indians in five games.