Shohei Ohtani was this close to signing with the Toronto Blue Jays. At a crucial time when chatter was brimming in favor of the Jays, a report by one journalist almost confirmed the signing. However, all the build-up came crashing down when the report’s legitimacy was questioned. Soon enough, Ohtani confirmed that he was joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was surely a heartbreaking moment for fans of the Jays. But Toronto is not one to cry over spilled milk they are already onto considering the next step.

The departure of Shohei Ohtani marks a substantial setback for the Blue Jays, compelling them to regroup and seek alternative strategies to strengthen the team, all amid the disappointment and heightened expectations from fans. A not-so-often-talked-about star designated hitter with an immaculate record might be in the mix. 

The Man Who Could Bolster Up the Toronto Blue Jays Roster

The former Dodger, JD Martinez, who was their DH in 2023 (before he became a free agent) is the talk of the town. Not only do the fans see him as a suitable fit, the team is reportedly targeting him next. The 36-year-old could be a great addition to Toronto’s lineup in 2024, not to mention his 315 career home runs and 33 HR in 2023.

Toronto’s pitching roster recognizes the impact of Martinez’s powerful hitting ability. They had strategized against him during his five-year tenure with the Boston Red Sox. Although he had somewhat of a subpar performance in his last season with the team before heading to Los Angeles, Martinez was quick to rebound, earning his sixth All-Star selection.

As a tenured player, he is still among the top hitters in the league. Playing in 113 games in 2023, he did miss some time because of injuries. Martinez’s .893 OPS would have been the 11th best in all of MLB if he had had enough plate appearances to qualify. Given his stats, he would not be a cheap acquisition.

But for the Jays who were prepping to welcome Ohtani, finance may not be a concern. Speaking of the two-way phenom, it has not been easy for the only non-American team to see him stay back in South California.

What Happened On Friday Between Ohtani and the Jays?

It’s worth looking giving background on what happened between Ohtani and the Blue Birds. On Friday, excitement peaked as conjecture circulated that the unicorn was heading to Toronto. This was sparked by an online report suggesting the Japanese star had made up his mind to join the Blue Jays. Subsequently, an MLB.com reporter’s social media post claimed that Ohtani was in fact en route to Toronto. Folks on social media closely monitored a private flight to Toronto believed to be the star’s, but the CBC later nullified the rumor.

Read More: “Feel of the Mound”: Another Reason Why Shohei Ohtani Could Sign With Toronto Blue Jays

Just as the MLB high was about to reach its highest, it fell to its lowest low for the Jays fans. Clearly, fans were terribly heartbroken. The co-founder of the Ohtani Canada fan club, Jon Yeh, shared his and his (more than) 29,000 followers’ emotion. “Toronto is such a wonderful place. And Ohtani is such a wonderful person. It would have been a match made in heaven,” Yeh mentioned to the CBC News.

Well, what’s done is done. With Toronto on the lookout for JD Martinez, it will be an interesting story to follow before the 2024 season begins.

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