Report: Shohei Ohtani And His Blockbuster Decision

The buzz began in earnest Friday morning, when sleuths discovered that a private charter was flying from Anaheim to Toronto on Friday afternoon. Insider Jon Morosi then confirmed that Shohei Ohtani was on it. Then came word that Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (a good friend of Ohtani's) had made a reservation for 50 at a Japanese restaurant in Toronto Friday night. Madness engulfed The Six all day.

Then came the tweet that almost broke Blue Jays Twitter: According to Los Angeles Dodgers beat writer JP Hoornstra, the greatest free agent in baseball history had agreed to take his talents north of the border. Shohei Ohtani would be signing with the Toronto Blue Jays, per his report.

It seems to have come down to a decision between the Jays, the Dodgers and the incumbent, the LA Angels, but the two-time MVP and greatest (and only) two-way player in the last century had apparently decided that Canada is where he's planting his flag, said Hoornstra. 

Since then, it was discovered that Ohtani was not on that plane to Toronto, and that no decision has officially been made on his next team. 

Ohtani already owns Japan, he's a phenomenon across the U.S. — would he decide to own Canada as well? 

He won't be able to pitch in 2024 as he recovers from elbow surgery, but he will still DH, and would bring his 44 HR and MLB-leading 1.066 OPS to a Toronto lineup that desperately could use his thunder. 

Ohtani apparently loves the mound at Rogers Centre, and appears to have a great relationship with Vladdy, as well as Kikuchi. 

But will all that be enough, in the end? We're still waiting on an official decision. 

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY SportsJayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports