Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins regrets Toronto turned down Shohei Ohtani.
TORONTO – General manager Ross Atkins of the Blue Jays apologized. After meeting with the team, Shoehei Ohtani declined Toronto in favor of signing a record-breaking $700 million, ten-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
When Atkins originally acknowledged that Ohtani had visited Toronto’s spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, on December 4, rather than in person in Nashville, Tennessee, he would not clarify whether the meeting actually had place. Five days later, Ohtani announced his deal with the Dodgers.
“It was one of the most difficult phone calls I have ever received in my career, and we were obviously very disappointed with the outcome,” Atkins stated on Wednesday. In addition, I feel really good about the process and what it meant to be in that position for the business, the city, and the nation. All in all, it was an amazing process involving teamwork and collaboration. I have no question that he was incredibly drawn to this nation, this city, and this squad. Although the process made us feel amazing, we went on.
The San Francisco Giants, who Ohtani also spoke with, claimed to have made an offer that was similar to the one he accepted from the Dodgers.
Atkins didn’t believe that the Blue Jays were utilized as leverage to get a higher bid from another party.
“Definitely not,” he responded. “I have strong feelings in opposition. We are quite pleased with the procedure. From ownership to business to baseball, it was an amazing effort by people working together. Although the result was not what we had hoped for, we are quite happy with the process and truly felt that it was genuine.
