I've been trying to avoid making a post about this, partially because I can't believe we're actually serious, but also because I don't want to jinx it. The Twitterverse and baseball writers are getting more and more serious about how serious the Jays are in pushing for Ohtani. Everyone was saying the Dodgers are the clear fit, and that's where most baseball minds would have placed bets on him landing prior to this offseason. But it is truly looking like Shatkins have Rogers blessing to open up the pocket book and pay him, so the question becomes what are the non-monetary drivers behind where he wants to sign.
We have arguably the best player development complex down in Dunedin. We have 2 young superstars under team control for at least 2 more years and a pretty decent lineup around them as well (obviously there are holes to be filled this winter). We have arguably the best rotation in baseball already (including a guy Ohtani went to the same high school as and looked up to). Work will be completed this winter on $300M renovations to the dome. Ohtani wants to play for a contender. While we haven't actually won a game in the playoffs since 2016 (shhh this still hurts), we have made the playoffs 3 out of the last 4 years. With this rotation we are a piece or two away from taking it all the way. Ohtani is THE piece.
I am seriously not trying to set myself or any of you up for utter disappointment here when we've been used as a negotiating chip to drive his value up an extra 3% to sign with the Dodgers. We've seen that happen all too many times in the past. But it truly seems like the Jays are there, and ready willing and able to sign him at whatever $$ figure he wants. At this point it's going to be up to Ohtani.
But can we just dream for a minute about what this team would be like with Ohtani at DH, and potentially pitching for us as well in 2025+? Obviously any team gets better with him, but Bichette-Ohtani-Guerrero-Springer in the top 4 of the lineup?? Especially if Guerrero can recapture any of his magic from 2021? I think every opposing pitcher that has the Jays on their schedule next year is having nightmares about it already.
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