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Shohei Ohtani’s decision to sign with the Dodgers for a record-breaking ten-year, $700MM deal sent shockwaves around the sports world. The impact was particularly heavy in Toronto, where Blue Jays fans and the team itself had spent much of Friday speculating if Ohtani had chosen the Jays as his next destination. A pair of now-debunked media reports only added to the fever of speculation. Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reports that the Blue Jays’ offer to Ohtani was “right there,” indicating that the Dodgers’ $700MM deal wasn’t too far removed from what the Jays put on the table.
The anticipation of Ohtani’s potential move caused a stir in the betting world as well. As rumors of Ohtani’s interest in Toronto swirled, the Blue Jays’ World Series odds improved from 15-1 to as short as 8-1, and bets poured in on the team. Nearly 85% of the money wagered on the World Series odds on Friday was on Toronto, indicating the high level of confidence in Ohtani’s potential signing with the Blue Jays.
However, the excitement was short-lived. Ohtani’s rumored flight to Toronto and potential signing with the Blue Jays ended in surprise. The plane he was reported to be on was actually owned by a different individual, and Ohtani remained in southern California, ultimately agreeing to a record contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, an unexpected turn of events that left many puzzled.
The events leading to Ohtani’s choice also raised questions about media ethics in the chase for his signature. The leaked information to MLB Networks’ Jon Morosi and Dodgers Nation’s JP Hoornstra, allegedly from trusted sources, sparked concern over the authenticity of the reports and the credibility of those behind the leaked details.
In conclusion, Shohei Ohtani’s decision to leave the Toronto Blue Jays in favor of a record-breaking deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers has left both the Jays and their fans in a state of uncertainty. The unexpected turn of events and the surrounding speculation about Ohtani’s potential move to the Jays have raised questions not only about the authenticity of media reports but also about the ethics of the supposed sources behind the leaked information.
