Perhaps the Toronto Blue Jays, not the Los Angeles Angels, were the most futile club after Shohei Ohtani 29, Los Angeles Dodgers announced a 10-year, 700 million-dollar contract as an FA. 토토 The team launched its strongest offensive before and after last week's winter meeting.
In the end, Toronto was evaluated as rising to the position of the Dodgers' final rival, beating over many big market teams. However, it failed to surpass the LA Dodgers, which has the most advantages such as winning, money, psychological stability, and geographical location.
The Athletic reported on Toronto's future moves and reality on Wednesday. As the team is the only team based in Canada in the Major League, it is difficult to attract top stars. Players try to stay in the U.S. under similar conditions.
The Athletic said, Toronto has secured the best FA in recent years, including Ryu Hyun-jin, George Springer, and Kevin Gausman, but it still feels familiar to miss out on a star by one of the major U.S. markets. The fact that Ohtani's decision came after his controversial postseason defeat in 2023 makes Canadian baseball fans feel the loss even more.
Toronto also joined the trade of Juan Soto (25) of the New York Yankees in addition to Ohtani, but was pushed back. This off-season saw the power of the Eastern and Western Yankees and the Dodgers in the Major League Baseball. However, it is not just a matter of sitting down, and the FA market is now in its mid-term.
The priority for Toronto this winter is position players. With Ohtani excluded, Cody Bellinger is the next best free agent. Toronto likes him and center fielder is a left-handed hitter who can play first base, which fits well with the roster of a team that needs impact batters, The Athletic said.
In addition, The Athletic said Toronto could try to sign Matt Chapman to stay and re-enter J.D. Martinez, Teoscar Hernandez, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who are no longer available in the Dodgers. The trade is not concrete, but he said he could try. It was disappointing that Toronto missed Ohtani, but we need to find a way to change our direction to avoid further disappointment in the 2024 season, The Athletic said.