Blue Jays Gain Advantage in Shohei Ohtani Sweepstakes, Amidst Two-Way Phenom’s Unique Toronto Preference

The clock is ticking on Shohei Ohtani’s free agency. The two-way phenom is reportedly very close to deciding on his next home. While the Dodgers and Blue Jays are favorites to sign him, Ohtani has as usual been ambiguous about his preferences. Still, there is one advantage that the Blue Birds hold over the rest of the league.

The team has been a surprising addition to the Ohtani sweepstakes, who was expected to remain in LA. But with the Blue Jays’ recent updation of the Dunedin training facility, the odds are in their favor. The Toronto team is ensuring that they finish the story in the most memorable way possible.

Shohei Ohtani reportedly loves the Blue Jays infrastructure

Shohei Ohtani, aka the yakyu shonen, lives and breathes baseball. Given his unique set of skills, the two-way star has been vocal about spending his free time either practicing or sleeping for recovery. With such passion, it’s obvious that he requires top-notch facilities to play efficiently because as former teammates report, Ohtani can usually be found with an iPad in his hand, studying. Interestingly, this is where the Blue Jays come in.

The Blue Birds have spent a joint $400 million on Rogers Centre and their Florida training base; their facilities are second to none. A state-of-the-art structure like the one that the Blue Jays have could be a dream come true for Ohtani. “It’s very important to him,” a source close to Ohtani told Sports Illustrated. “Training and baseball are largely all that he does. He is devoted to the game.”

Additionally, the stadium and its facilities are completely climate-controlled. Shohei Ohtani won’t have to worry about cold, rain, humidity, or heavy winds. Southern California offers the benefit of mild temperatures, but the Blue Jays won’t let Toronto’s extreme weather be a negative point for Shotime either.

Read more: As Blue Jays Eye Shohei Ohtani, $337 Million Reason Emerges for Toronto’s $500 Million Interest

As if this wasn’t enough, the slugger slashes .326/.466/.674 at Rogers Centre. It may remind him of his time in the Nippon Ham Fighters because of the Sapporo Dome.

If Ohtani does sign with the Blue Jays, fans can only imagine what a lineup with baseball’s unicorn, the 2023 Home Run Derby winner, or Toronto’s 2x All-Star shortstop.

A combination of Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette might actually help postseason success. The Blue Jays have not clinched a pennant in a generation and were sadly defeated by the Twins in the Wild Card in 2023.

Whatever team the Japanese wonder boy chooses next, the World Series will be his main focus. Maybe the Blue Jays can provide it, maybe not. It would make sense if Ohtani is still unsure about joining the Blue Birds, even if they have an attractive pitch.

Either way, fans may have answers in just a few hours!

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