Multiple MLB insiders name one team as potential destination for Shohei Ohtani

The biggest story in baseball is AL MVP Shohei Ohtani's free agency. 

While the Los Angeles Dodgers remain the clear betting favorites to land the two-way superstar, another potential destination has emerged. Both The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and ESPN's Jeff Passan recently reported that the Toronto Blue Jays are a fit for Ohtani. 

On Tuesday, Passan wrote that a "source with knowledge of their plans" believes the Jays are planning to "do something big" this offseason with shortstop Bo Bichette and first baseman Vlad Guerrero Jr. expected to hit free agency after the 2025 season. 

On Thursday, Rosenthal reported that a rival executive believes that Toronto is a "sleeper" to sign Ohtani. Rosenthal cited the Blue Jays' need for a left-handed bat, the Rogers Centre's retractable roof and Toronto's growing Japanese population as reasons why Ohtani could be interested. 

While there has been a lot of speculation about Ohtani's free agency, little is actually known about where he wants to go other than his desire to play for a winner. Toronto was able to secure a wild-card spot last season, and adding Ohtani's bat to the mix would instantly make the Jays favorites in the AL East. 

Ohtani also has a significant pre-existing relationship with Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi. Ohtani and Kikuchi both graduated from Hanamaki Higashi High School in the northern Japanese countryside. When Ohtani was in middle school, he watched Kikuchi lead Hanamaki Higashi to a second-place finish in the 2009 spring edition and a semifinal appearance in the summer edition of Japan's national tournament. Kikuchi was an inspiration for Ohtani when they were younger, and the two have remained in touch now that they're both in the big leagues. 

Ohtani is likely going to receive the largest contract in baseball history, with some front-office executives expecting it to break the $500M mark. If the Blue Jays are willing to pay up, there's no reason why Ohtani wouldn't consider taking his talents to the 6.