The Toronto Blue Jays Also Offered Shohei Ohtani the $700 Million Contract

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Toronto Blue Jays also offered superstar Shohei Ohtani the $700 million deal that he agreed to with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Toronto Blue Jays also offered superstar Shohei Ohtani the $700 million deal that he ultimately agreed to with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Per Passan:

The structure triggered a quick approval from the Dodgers. Unbeknownst to them, Balelo then proposed the same deal to at least three other teams. The San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays agreed to the terms. The Angels, Ohtani's original major league team, were also given a chance, but sources said they ultimately declined.

The contract has raised much consternation around the game over the last week. Though it's reported as $700 million - and Ohtani will ultimately get that much after the deferrals - it's only valued at $460 million by Major League Baseball.

The Jays clearly went out on a limb in offering this deal to Ohtani and it signifies their commitment to trying to build a World Series winner in Toronto. Now, without Ohtani, the Jays have significant questions. Not only did they miss out on him, but they've lost Matt Chapman, Kevin Kiermaier, Brandon Belt and Whit Merrifield to free agency too.

They could re-sign any or all of those players but they haven't yet, leaving gaping holes in their lineup - holes that Ohtani won't be there to fill.

The Blue Jays have made the playoffs each of the last two years but have failed to win a single postseason game. With big paydays coming in the next two years for Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero Jr., they can't afford to wait any longer, which is why you saw them act so urgently with Ohtani.

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