5 reasons the Blue Jays make sense for Ohtani

The Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes continues to be the most captivating storyline of the Hot Stove season, with the situation perhaps set to come to a dramatic conclusion during the Winter Meetings, which begin on Monday in Nashville.

While clubs such as the Dodgers, Giants and Cubs have consistently been discussed as contenders for Ohtani, along with the Angels, one other under-the-radar suitor has begun to gain some steam in the public conversation. That would be the Blue Jays.

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A few different reports in recent days have identified them as being in the mix for the two-way superstar. One from ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Friday (subscription required) labeled Toronto as one of the teams known to still be involved in the bidding.

So why would the Blue Jays make sense for Ohtani? Here are five reasons.

1. They need to take advantage of this competitive window

Not long ago, it appeared that the sky was the limit for this era of Blue Jays baseball. The organization developed a wave of young talent and has been aggressive about supplementing it through both free agency and trades in an effort to bring Toronto (and Canada more generally) its first World Series title since back-to-back championships in 1992-93.

But while the team has generally been successful over the past four seasons, it’s hard not to feel frustrated and unfulfilled about the ultimate results. The Blue Jays have not won more than 92 games in a season during that stretch (though the 2020 season was shortened), nor have they captured an AL East title, finishing higher than third just once. While expanded playoff fields have resulted in three trips to October, none led to even a single postseason game victory. Toronto was swept out of the Wild Card round in 2020, ‘22 and ‘23.

All of that is to say: This team desperately needs to take the next step -- while it still can. Toronto figures to be competitive in 2024 with or without Ohtani, but the clock may be ticking. Franchise cornerstones Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette both have two seasons to go before reaching free agency, and so far, there is no sign of either agreeing to an extension. Recent free-agent acquisitions Chris Bassitt (age 35 in 2024), George Springer (34) and Kevin Gausman (33 in 2024) all are getting older, and the Jays’ farm system was ranked only 25th by MLB Pipeline as of August.

In other words, the time is now for Toronto to strike, even in a difficult AL East. Go get Ohtani, go get that ring, and rewrite the narrative of the 2020s Blue Jays.

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2. A big left-handed bat is a perfect fit here

In 2023, only two teams got fewer plate appearances and only three got fewer home runs from left-handed hitters than the Blue Jays, and two of their top three lefties (Brandon Belt and Kevin Kiermaier) are now free agents. The only lefties (or switch hitters) in the team’s current projected lineup are Cavan Biggio, Daulton Varsho and Nathan Lukes, a 29-year-old rookie.

So who better to add to the lineup than an elite left-handed bat who just led the AL in homers and ranks fourth in the Majors in that category since 2021? While one could certainly overstate the importance of righty/lefty lineup balance, sticking Ohtani in the middle of Springer, Bichette and Guerrero would help keep opposing managers from attacking Ohtani with lefty relievers. And regardless of handedness, that quartet would be as imposing a top-of-the-lineup group as there is in MLB.

3. Their DH spot is wide open

The only real downside for a team adding Ohtani to the lineup is that he is firmly entrenched at DH. (Not that Ohtani isn’t athletic enough to handle a position, but he isn’t going to do so while rehabbing his elbow injury in 2024.)

Having a full-time DH could create problems for a team with another player who needs that spot, but that’s not necessarily a huge problem for the Blue Jays relative to other clubs. Toronto’s primary DH in 2023 was Belt, who is now a free agent. In fact, general manager Ross Atkins said during last month’s GM Meetings that the team is “open” to adding a DH-first player.

The only caveat is that Ohtani’s presence would prevent the Blue Jays from using the DH spot to rest Guerrero, Springer or any other regular who is banged up or needs a day off their feet. But that shouldn’t be an impediment to going after one of the best players in the sport.

4. His return to the mound can wait

Ohtani, of course, won’t be pitching in 2024. And any team in MLB would miss having him in their rotation. With that being said, the Blue Jays are set up better than most to get by without Ohtani’s presence on the mound this coming season.

Toronto’s rotation was incredibly stable in 2023, with its top four starters all taking the ball at least 31 times. All four are back in ‘24. And just six pitchers started 158 of the team’s 162 games, with only Hyun Jin Ryu (11 starts), a free agent, not slated to return from that group.

So while Alek Manoah has to be considered a major question mark after his disastrous 2023, Toronto already feels pretty good about its starting pitching situation. Plus, 21-year-old lefty Ricky Tiedemann (MLB Pipeline’s No. 31 prospect) looks poised to make an impact next season after taking Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Year honors.

When Toronto figures to need Ohtani’s pitching prowess more is in 2025, when Yusei Kikuchi will be a free agent and Bassitt will be 36 and entering his walk year. So that timeframe lines up nicely with Ohtani’s recovery.

5. An international star in an international city

It just sounds right, doesn’t it? Ohtani is a megastar with international appeal, and he’d be heading to the only Major League team based outside the U.S. The Blue Jays not only play in a large, diverse city but also have represented an entire country since the Expos departed for Washington after the 2004 season.

Beyond all he brings on the field, Ohtani also would offer any club massive marketing opportunities. But because of their unique situation, that might be even more valuable for a team like the Blue Jays, who are owned by Rogers Communications, which also broadcasts the games on its own television network (Sportsnet).

At the same time, playing in Toronto likely would offer Ohtani a less intense environment than, say, New York, Los Angeles or even Chicago. While we can only speculate here, that might be desirable for a player such as Ohtani, who despite his massive stardom has been intensely private off the field.

In the end, it’s hard to know what Toronto’s chances of actually landing Ohtani might be. But it’s a pairing that makes a ton of sense.