Fastball

Even Rap Star Drake, a Toronto Native, Wants to Know What's Happening with Shohei Ohtani

After Jon Morosi of MLB Network said that Shohei Ohtani was "en route" to Toronto, presumably to sign with the Blue Jays, Bob Nightengale of USA Today says that's NOT true. A CBC reporter has now confirmed that.
Brady Farkas|
Even Rap Star Drake, a Toronto Native, Wants to Know What's Happening with Shohei Ohtani
Even Rap Star Drake, a Toronto Native, Wants to Know What's Happening with Shohei Ohtani

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Toronto Blue JaysLos Angeles Dodgers

UPDATE: 6:58 p.m. ET: Even rap artist Drake, a Toronto native, is waiting to see what Ohtani does... he posted on Instagram a picture of himself in an Ohtani jersey. Is that just him hoping or does he have inside knowledge?

UPDATE: 6:01 p.m. ET: A CBC reporter has confirmed that Ohtani was NOT on a private jet from Southern California to Toronto:

Our CBC photographer Evan Mitsui is messaging me from Pearson Airport right now. He confirms new reports that Ohtani was NOT on the private jet. 

It was in fact carrying Canadian businessman Robert Herjavec and his family.

UPDATE: 5:18 p.m. ET: Bob Nightengale of USA Today refutes Morosi's report and says that Ohtani is not en route to Toronto.

Shohei Ohtani is NOT in Toronto. Ohtani is NOT on a flight to Toronto. Ohtani is at home in Southern California.

UPDATE: 4:16 p.m. ET: Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that Ohtani is "en route" to Toronto, signifying further excitement about a signing with the Blue Jays.

Sources: Shohei Ohtani is en route to Toronto today. A representative of his agency, CAA, would not comment when asked about Ohtani’s travel plans. At this hour, Ohtani does not have a signed agreement with any @MLB team. 

UPDATE: 4:01 p.m. ET: According to Alden Gonzalez and other reporters, Ohtani has not made an official decision yet. Though the Blue Jays remain in strong contention, a decision is not final.

Source: Shohei Ohtani has not made a decision yet. That’s not to say it won’t ultimately be the Blue Jays; my understanding is that, at this point, that decision has not been made.

According to Los Angeles Dodgers website, DodgersNation, Shohei Ohtani is signing with the Toronto Blue Jays.

According to J.P. Hoornstra, who runs the site:

Shohei Ohtani's choice is in. This is not a drill.

As of this posting, no other MLB Insiders have corroborated the report, but still, this is what we know right now:

The wait is over: Shohei Ohtani is signing with the Toronto Blue Jays.

According to multiple sources who spoke with Dodgers Nation on Friday, the two-way superstar has ended the suspense of the most lucrative free-agent pursuit in baseball history. A formal announcement is expected as early as tonight.

If this is in fact true, it will be the biggest coup ever for the Blue Jays in free agency and will instantly vault them into the favorites position for the American League pennant.

Ohtani, a generational talent, would join a batting order with George Springer, Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Furthermore, in 2025, he'd join a starting rotation with Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios. He can't pitch in 2024 because of an arm injury.

The Blue Jays had emerged as a strong favorite for the Japanese sensation, intensifying their standing over the last week. Ohtani reportedly chooses the Blue Jays over the Dodgers, Giants and Angels. The Cubs earlier in the week also slipped out of the running.

Ohtani is coming off his second American League MVP Award in the last three years. By signing in Canada, he'd instantly become a global grand, with the ability to market in the United States, Canada and Japan.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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