Thousands tracking flight to Toronto amid Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes
Thousands of people were tracking a Toronto-bound flight online Friday afternoon, as the Shohei Ohtani free-agency sweepstakes could soon be coming to a dramatic finish.
The flight shows a departure from Anaheim, where the two-way superstar has spent his first six MLB seasons, and a final destination of Toronto, home of the Blue Jays. The Jays have been one of the most heavily rumored suitors for Ohtani in recent days.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Friday morning that Toronto was one of the finalists in the Ohtani free-agency race.
Other rumored contenders for the AL MVP's services in 2024 and beyond have included the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. It's also possible that Ohtani could re-sign with the Angels, though the franchise's nine-year playoff drought has brought significant doubt amongst insiders and fans that the designated hitter/pitcher would stay with the Halos.
Given their recent history of signing big-time free agents and swinging for the fences with notable trades, the Dodgers have been speculated as favorites for landing Ohtani during much of the fall. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made headlines on Tuesday, however, when he confirmed that the team met with Ohtani last Friday at Dodger Stadium.
In November, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that if the designated hitter/pitcher's visits with organizations became public, it would "be held against the team."
USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote this week that the Dodgers had requested (and received approval from) relief pitcher Joe Kelly to give up his No. 17 uniform if Ohtani signs with the organization. That could keep the group in contention with the Blue Jays and whoever else is a finalist.
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