Max Domi's latest tweet seems to be raising the eyebrows of fans, but perhaps not just Leafs fans, and not just Hockey.
For some not aware, the Toronto Blue Jays are currently one of many teams linked to MLB Free Agent Shohei Ohtani, in what is one of the sport's most watched free agent spectacles, and perhaps the biggest in sports since LeBron James announced his signing with the Miami Heat on live television in 2010.
Domi, well connected in Toronto Hockey circles, posted a tweet celebrating the Blue Jays. Some fans are wondering if Domi is an excited fan, or knows more than he's letting on.
Ohtani, a dual hitter and pitcher, is more than a rarity in the sport. Since coming to MLB from Japan, signing with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani has already signified himself as one of baseball's most important figures due to his dominance both as a hitter and pitcher, last season hitting an MLB-leading 44 Home Runs with 95 RBI's, with a .304 BA% along with a 10-5 record at the plate with a 3.14 ERA, placing 4th in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) among American League Hitting and Pitching leaders. In a Hockey context, imagine scoring 50 Goals a season, while being a Goalie with a .910 SV%. Ohtani is the first major two-way player since Babe Ruth, and even the Bambino turned his focus solely to hitting shortly after joining the New York Yankees.
Despite being one of the sport's top players, alongside fellow superstar Mike Trout, the Angels have failed to make the postseason in Ohtani's 6 season tenure, although with 2 MVP titles and 3 All-Star nods. With two likely future Hall of Famers, there's an obvious interest in joining a playoff contender. The Blue Jays made the Playoffs in 2023, before being swept by the Minnesota Twins.
Along with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to MLB Insiders, the Los Angeles Dodgers are viewed as potential favorites for the 29-year-old Ohtani. Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported a deal for Ohtani could be done as soon as today, which incidentally, is the six-year anniversary of Ohtani's first signing with the Los Angeles Angeles.
One potential advantage to Toronto's hopes is current Blue Jay Yusei Kiluchi, an idol of Ohtani's. Toronto was also rumored to be in on talks with now-former San Diego Padres superstar OF Juan Soto, before he was traded to the New York Yankees, showing Toronto's deep desire to land a marquee talent alongside star players Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette & Chris Bassitt, although Ohtani, already having spent years in California, closer to his native Japan, may wish to stay closer to home and sign with the Dodgers, just as stacked as the Jays with talent such as Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Also rumored are the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants.
Ohtani, expected to potentially fetch over $600M with potentially over a decade locked down, is perhaps the biggest free agent signing in all of sport's history, and would instantly make the Blue Jays potential World Series favorites. If they land him, Shohei Ohtani could become the most hyped player to compete in the City of Toronto.
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Will the Toronto Blue Jays sign Shohei Ohtani? | ||
Yes | 189 | 44 % |
No | 241 | 56 % |
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