MLB Insider Reveals Why Blue Jays Have Emerged as Serious Threat to Dodgers for Shohei Ohtani
The Los Angeles Dodgers remain one of the final four teams bidding on free agent Shohei Ohtani, according to MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN. They are still seen as the favorites to land him, but a surprise contender has emerged as a threat to LA, the Toronto Blue Jays.
Toronto isn’t the only threat to the Dodgers in the Ohtani sweepstakes, but they seem to be one of the most significant ones. Other teams like the Chicago Cubs have positioned themselves nicely to go after the two-way superstar as well.
Here at Dodgers Nation, our very own Doug McKain spoke with MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Nightengale gave some insight into why Toronto has emerged as a serious threat to take Ohtani from the Dodgers this winter. You can see the entire interview here!
“It’s a controlled environment. You got a retractable roof there every game. You’re in the AL East, so you get to play those big markets as well. But hey, it’s a long way away from Japan. Over 3,000 miles away to get there. He’s very comfortable in LA.”
Per Bob Nightengale via The Dodgers Nation YouTube Channel
The Blue Jays do make some sense for Ohtani, as they are an international city. He could basically run an entire country, just not one single city in the United States.
But there are downsides to choosing Toronto as well. They aren’t set up as well to win consistently as the Dodgers, and as Nightengale mentioned he loves the warm weather in Southern California.
Ohtani is a creature of habit, so by signing with the Dodgers, not much would likely change in his daily routines. He would just be trading in a red Angels jersey for a blue Dodgers one, and he would start to win more baseball games.
LA still feels like the landing spot for Ohtani, and some reports have said that he has known where he wanted to go all along. This would likely indicate him joining LA, but we should have more clarity on this entire situation very soon with the winter meeting taking place next week.
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Where’s the Toronto money? You’re faded.
Just think, Toronto, like the man said, is the only baseball city in the whole country. Don’t know; but I would guess a LOT of Canadian TV markets carry Toronto games. Lots of revenue for the team coming on. Plus they DO fill the seats. Money is not they problem. BUT, all the other things could be a problem. 3000 miles further from home. Canadian dollar. Cold weather till June. Still think he signs with us. Just a drive across town to a constant pennant contender.
It’s not cold until June, it’s warming up in April…and Rogers is one of the richest owners in the entire league…and the Jays have one of the best pitching staffs in the league, they were let down by their bats. Ohtani could put them over the top which would be a huge feather in his cap…
5,520 mi
Distance from Los Angeles to Japan
6,431 mi
Distance from Toronto to Japan
Not a 3k mile difference. Bob is and always be the meme reporter of the MLB. He’s the Jim Carey of baseball reporting. I still like the guy though lol
I would add Snell or Imanaga bc the Dodgers need another lefty for balance in the starting rotation. I would also add Glasnow since he has filthy stuff and will be a lower cost free agent. So:
Buehler
Snell+ or Imanaga+
Glasnow or Gonsolin or Grove
Kershaw+ or May or Sheehan
Bobby Miller or Pepiot or S. Miller
And I would consider Ohtani a lock bc he wants to be on a winning team. So…
Betts, rf
Freedman+, 1b
W. Smith, c
Ohtani+ dh
JD Martinez, lf
Lux+ ss
C. Taylor 2b
Outman+ cf
Busch+ 3b