Toronto Blue Jays Achieve Off-Season Gold, Reportedly Signing Juan Soto or Shohei Ohtani

The Toronto Blue Jays are doing what most teams across the MLB have been dreaming of doing till now. They are reportedly all set to score Juan Soto or Shohei Ohtani, according to inside sources. Will this mean that they might just clinch the next season’s World Series, just like that? Or is it going to hang over their heads as it did with the San Diego Padres or the Los Angeles Angels?

Negotiations between the New York Yankees and the Padres regarding a potential blockbuster trade for Juan Soto have hit a roadblock, at least temporarily. The discussions came to a standstill on Thursday and Friday as the two parties found themselves significantly distant in their positions. However, per sources, the Blue Jays are one of the teams in talks with Soto’s Padres.

Juan Soto or Shohei Ohtani: Bringing a never-seen-before dynamic to the dugout

An interesting Twitter post surfaced today. It showed MLB insider Ken Rosenthal indicating that if the Blue Jays’ goal of achieving Shohei Ohtani falls through; they have their eyes set on pursuing Soto as step 2. Their decision is a wise one, to say the least.

The two-way superstar will be out of the batting lineup for the rest of 2024 as he recently went through elbow surgery. In that case, Soto will be a perfect replacement for that post. Juan Soto is slowly making strides toward his second MVP with his current at-bat record. The outfielder racked up an elite 5.5 WAR this season, along with a baffling OPS of .930 and 109 RBIs. Whereas Ohtani’s at-bat record for 2023 sums up to 6.6 WAR, 1.066 OPS, and 95 RBIs.

While Soto’s projected salary for 2024 is $33 million, Ohtani is expected to receive a minimum of $50 million each year. Considering the notable difference that the sluggers will have on their contract, their skills balance their worth perfectly well. There are reasons other than needing a powerful hitter in the lineup why the Blue Jays should choose Juan Soto.

How likely is it for the Blue Jays’ Juan Soto future to work out?

According to a very intricate observation made by an analyst, there’s one way the Padres-Soto predicament can work out. The team is reportedly on the lookout for high-value prospects in place of Soto. Given their current financial status, it’s no wonder that they will ask for huge cash favors in the trade as well. Being the top contenders in the race, the Yankees will see no reason to give in until the price takes a downward dive.

If rumors are true, the Padres might leak the Yankees’ strategy to the media, which will act as a perfect opening for the Toronto Blue Jays to dive in and snatch Soto away. It is to be noted that all of this will be possible only if Shohei Ohtani confirms parting ways with his possible Blue Birds future.

Read More: Shohei Ohtani vs. Juan Soto: Who Is Likely to Get a Bigger Contract? Will They Beat Mike Trout’s Record $426 Million Deal?

Let’s watch out for how the 2024 season rolls out for both of the high-value sluggers. 

Watch This Story: Yankees Eye Cody Bellinger As Off-Season Priority, Ohtani and Soto Deals In Doubt, Says Top MLB Insider