EXCLUSIVE: Source says Rogers all in on Blue Jays' pursuit of global superstar Shohei Ohtani

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Win or lose in their pursuit of the soon-to-be richest player in baseball history, the Blue Jays are all in on trying to land Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani.

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A highly placed source familiar with the Canadian team’s chase of the reigning American League MVP told the Toronto Sun on Tuesday that team owner Rogers Communications is “putting its best foot forward” in its bid to land the global sensation on a multi-year deal.

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“Now it feels a little bit like the show The Bachelor, waiting to see if we get picked,” the source said of the Jays’ involvement in what has become the hottest story in sports and the anticipation of waiting for an answer.

The source said that during the courtship, Ohtani has expressed his affinity for Toronto and in particular has enjoyed a city that is generally calmer and quieter than many bigger U.S. urban areas, including Los Angeles.

The pitching and hitting sensation is known to be extremely particular in how he goes about his work regimen and appreciates simplicity during the season so that he can excel at his craft.

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There is some obvious appeal to Toronto, as well, a city he is said to have enjoyed visiting during his time with the Los Angeles Angels, and the Jays have marketed the coast-to-coast appeal of playing for a nation.

So now comes the waiting game as the source noted, with the Ohtani camp going through its final decision-making process. While the Los Angeles Dodgers are still considered front-runners to land the 29-year-old, there is a sense that the Jays momentum is real and tangible. Jays general manager Ross Atkins has been a popular figure at the Winter Meetings and Toronto the buzz team.

The fact that the source suggested the team is willing to go well north of $500 million US (and yes, headed towards a billion Canadian) puts them squarely in the mix monetarily. The rest is up to the specifics of what Ohtani wants beyond becoming an extremely rich athlete.

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The Jays brass here in Nashville, meanwhile, continue to dance around specifics of the Ohtani chase, keeping their play close to the vest.

“We’ve worked really hard to get to this point, not just today but over the years to have a team that is competitive, to have alignment with our ownership to be agile and to be in most markets to improve our team,” Atkins said here Tuesday at the Opryland Resort where baseball’s Winter Meetings are taking place. “It’s a great feeling to be there.”

Without talking specifically about Ohtani, Atkins outlined what he perceives as the main attractions of Toronto for an international player.

“Back before I was here, I felt as though Toronto could be the best place to work and play in baseball because we represent a nation, because we are in such an incredibly diverse and exciting city,” Atkins said. “We have one of the best fan bases. It’s just such a unique opportunity.

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“Our fan base, you can just feel growing and getting to know this team in an exceptional way. I can’t really think of a better all around environment that you would put above ours.”

That’s the message the team has been heavily marketing to Ohtani, a process that included a reported trip to Dunedin, Fla. on Monday to showcase the team’s top-notch player development complex.

But it is the city of Toronto that will be the big sell as the Jays pull out all the stops in their “Come here” messaging to a player who certainly appears clear in what he wants.

New renovations at the Rogers Centre will have an enhanced clubhouse and player facilities ready for the 2024 season and, as the source notes, if it’s relative quiet Ohtani wants, there are plenty of living options mere steps away from the downtown dome.

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Understandably, the source was reluctant to outline details of the Jays offer, given the competition, what’s at stake and the Ohtani camp’s wishes for suitors to hit mute on their individual pursuits. But there is a palpable sense around the team and its owners that Toronto is very much in the mix.

On a related note, Atkins has repeatedly mentioned the support of ownership this week, which aligns with the news of Rogers’ all-in move to land Ohtani. With high-end tickets to sell, the Japanese sensation would be an immediate and lucrative attraction.

“From (Rogers CEO Edward Rogers) to (Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro) to (Anthony Staffieri, president and CEO or Rogers Communications) to John Schneider, we’re in a position to be agile and you can’t ask for anything more in professional sport,” Atkins said. “I’m so excited about the opportunity too be in this market that is so exciting an unique and so excited to be part or discussions that include a very good player.”

And one of the most recognized superstars in all of professional sport.

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