The Toronto Blue Jays are believed to have met with two-way famous person free agent Shohei Ohtani at their spring coaching advanced on Monday, reports The Athletic. The crew rescheduled supervisor John Schneider’s Winter Conferences media availability from Monday to Tuesday, and GM Ross Atkins performed his every day media session on Zoom as a result of he was not on the Winter Conferences in Nashville. Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, additionally was not on the Winter Conferences.
“Due to scheduling conflicts, I used to be capable of be on this name, and I’m grateful on your adjustment to be right here with me in the present day,” Atkins advised reporters, including MLB.com, when requested why he was not on the Winter Conferences (his background was a clean wall, offering no clues about his whereabouts). “I wished to make it possible for I used to be with you, and Zoom permitted that.”
The Blue Jays extensively renovated their spring coaching and participant growth advanced in Dunedin, Florida, in 2021. Though the Los Angeles Angels maintain spring coaching in Arizona, Ohtani has performed at TD Ballpark in Dunedin. The Angels visited there in April 2021, when the Blue Jays have been enjoying dwelling video games in Florida resulting from pandemic restrictions. Ohtani went deep that collection.
In fact, a fast cease in and enjoying a couple of video games on the ballpark is far completely different than touring the services and seeing all the things the crew has to supply. Backfields, clubhouses, exercise areas, the crew’s pitching lab, the works. Assuming Ohtani did meet with the Blue Jays, they absolutely rolled out the pink carpet and confirmed them all the things they’ve in Dunedin.
The on-field match is clear, and never solely as a result of Ohtani is probably the most gifted participant on this planet. The Blue Jays desperately want an impression middle-of-the-order left-handed hitter. Cavan Biggio, who’s tentatively in line to switch Matt Chapman at third base, and Daulton Varsho, who underwhelmed in 2023, are the membership’s solely two notable lefty bats.
These two stats inform you precisely how badly the Blue Jays want a left-handed bat, and Ohtani is arguably the very best left-handed hitter on this planet (to not point out an excellent pitcher when wholesome):
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30. Houston Astros: 1,349 |
30. Houston Astros: 35.7% |
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29. New York Yankees: 1,650 |
29. New York Yankees: 41.6% |
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28. Toronto Blue Jays: 1,836 |
28. Toronto Blue Jays: 42.0% |
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MLB common: 2,524 |
MLB common: 53.4% |
If Toronto’s two lefty hitters have been Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker, they might reside with so few lefty bats like Houston. That is not the case although. They badly want a lefty thumper to fit in round righty hitters Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and George Springer. Bichette and Vlad Jr. are two years away from free company and Springer is 34. Now’s the time to go all-in.
The Blue Jays have splurged for a couple of free brokers in recent times, most notably Springer and Hyun-Jin Ryu, although they’ve not often performed on the tippy prime of the free agent market. In addition they face a couple of obstacles, specifically the trade charge and having to undergo customs after they depart and return for each street journey. Nobody likes going via customs.
That mentioned, Ohtani is a novel alternative not solely as a result of he is an excellent participant, however as a result of he generates income like nobody else within the recreation. He opens the door to Japanese sponsors, new Japanese followers, and so forth. The Blue Jays are owed by telecom behemoth Rogers Communications, and Rogers executives absolutely perceive the marquee worth Ohtani would carry to the franchise.
Additionally, the Blue Jays are at present in Part 2 of their $300 million renovation at Rogers Centre. Seating capability will probably be decreased by roughly 7%, and with capability shrinking, ticket costs will probably improve to make up the income distinction. Ohtani would assist the membership justify these value hikes. Each crew might use Ohtani. The Blue Jays might use him greater than others.
If nothing else, Ohtani visiting the Toronto’s spring coaching advanced suggests he’s inching nearer to a call. Ohtani has additionally met with the San Francisco Giants, in line with CBSSports.com’s Jim Bowden, although it’s unknown whether or not he is met with some other golf equipment. There is no such thing as a agency timetable for his resolution, although it’s anticipated to return throughout the subsequent 10 days or so.
Ohtani, 29, threw 132 innings with a 3.14 ERA and likewise led the American League with 44 dwelling runs in 2023. That earned him his second unanimous AL MVP award. Ohtani is not going to pitch subsequent season after having an elbow process in September.
The Blue Jays went 89-73 this previous season and have been swept by the Minnesota Twins within the Wild Card Sequence. They’re 0-6 within the postseason within the Bichette and Vlad Jr. period.
