Superstar Shohei Ohtani delivered a devastating blow to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon when he declared he would prefer to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers.The news on Friday that Ohtani was signing a contract with the Jays had given Toronto fans a great deal of hope and optimism, so this was especially devastating for them.
Tickets for the Blue Jays home opener were already sold out as of Friday afternoon, most likely due to excitement and hope surrounding Ohtani.
Where should the organization go from here as it tries to pick itself up by the pieces?
Bo Bichette, the shortstop, should be made the team’s face right away, and negotiations for an extension should start right away.
Bichette is the offensive engine that drives the team, despite the opinions of those who believe Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should take precedence. The Jays have the resources to make Bichette an offer he can’t reject before he enters free agency following the 2025 season, and they ought to if they were genuinely among the contenders for Ohtani. The 25-year-old two-time All-Star should be talking about something in the $250–$300 million range, which would still be a significant discount from whatever they offered Ohtani.
Long-term Bichette imprisonment would also greatly aid in uniting a fan base that is undoubtedly hurting right now.
The Blue Jays are expected to be competitive in the American League and very strong in 2024, even with the news that they missed out on Ohtani. In addition to Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and Chris Bassitt anchoring their starting rotation, they have Bichette, Guerrero Jr., and George Springer anchoring their lineup.
They are fortunate that Ohtani joined a National League team, meaning they will only have to play against him once or twice a season.
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