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11 months ago
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Depending on who you believe, Shohei Ohtani is either in Toronto or southern California, amid rumors he's leaning towards signing with the Blue Jays.
Baseball's hottest free agent was reportedly en route to southern Ontario Friday afternoon, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. Morosi added that Ohtani's agent did not confirmed any travel plans, and the former Los Angeles Angels star has yet to sign anything.
But USA Today's Bob Nightengale and the New York Post's Jon Heyman are both reporting that Ohtani is still at home in southern California.
The news of Ohtani's travel plans have captivated the baseball-loving world as thousands have been tracking flights from southern California to Toronto this week.
Sources 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.
The Toronto Blue Jays are the front runners to sign Shohei Ohtani, sources tell DailyMail.com
The flight believed to be carrying Ohtani was arriving in Toronto on Friday afternoon
While there are many different variables at play when it comes to signing with a Canadian team - money being one of them - sources say 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 tell Mail Sport. 'And he would also be able to live life out of the constant LA limelight.'
Sources say 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 the player 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 add, '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 attracted by Toronto's lack of pressure like in LA and their ability to win now
Ohtani is hoping to make his decision before Christmas time and sources reiterate, '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 joining the Angels in 2018, Ohtani has been a star in Major League Baseball and has been likened to Babe Ruth for his two-way abilities.
He won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 and the AL MVP award in 2021.
In 2023, Ohtani led the league in home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and total bases.
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.
He'd join superstars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in helping to build another powerful Jays team
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 join a team that boasts other superstars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette - both of whom are sons of retired All-Stars.
The Jays have made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, never once winning a game in the three Wild Card series they took part in.
Toronto last made a deep playoff run in 2016, when they went to the ALCS before falling to the Cleveland Indians in five games.
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