Shohei Ohtani 'got an offer in the same ballpark' as his record $700m Dodgers deal from the Toronto Blue Jays - before choosing to stay in LA in a blockbuster deal

The Toronto Blue Jays reportedly made an offer to now-Los Angeles Dodger Shohei Ohtani in the 'same financial ballpark' as the one the Japanese sensation accepted over the weekend. 

Ohtani signed with the Dodgers on a 10-year, $700-million contract, shattering the Major League Baseball record, which was held by now ex-teammate Mike Trout. 

The exact Blue Jay final offer is unknown and when Toronto found out it wasn't going to sign the 29-year-old is also unclear, per Sportsnet. 

Trout's 12-year, $426.5-million contract, which added two years and a massive pay bump to a current deal in 2019, was eclipsed by Ohtani's record-breaker in an amount that would've been higher than the 17th most-lucrative deal in MLB history.  

To be in the same financial ballpark as the Dodgers' deal means the Blue Jays' best try must have been well over $600 million. That's a staggering figure for the only non-American MLB franchise. 

Toronto's franchise record for its most lucrative signing goes to George Springer, who is halfway through his 6-year, $150-million deal. 

If the Blue Jays made a competitive offer to Ohtani, their ownership had enough funds ready to more than quadruple the current record. 

The largest free-agent contract in league history was signed by New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge last offseason with a nine-year, $360-million deal, with New York retaining the power hitter. 

Ohtani has won two of the last three American League MVP Awards, thanks in part due to his ability as a hitter and pitcher. 

His value didn't drop despite undergoing elbow surgery in September, and Ohtani isn't expected to pitch again until the start of the 2025 season.