Shohei Ohtani’s free agency saga hit a new level on Friday as reports swirled that the Japanese star was going to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Fans on social media did what they do best, and that is they began to track flights.
Some fans identified what they figured was Ohtani’s private jet flying to Toronto. The flight was scheduled to leave John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, Calif. and arrive in Toronto.
Who knows if this is anything related to Shohei Ohtani but credit "X" users who have identified a private Jet scheduled this morning to fly from Anaheim to Toronto & even if it is…is it a visit to Toronto since he went to Dunedin last Monday? Or is he going to sign? Who knows pic.twitter.com/sMgsUk4Yjs
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) December 8, 2023
There were thousands of people tracking that exact flight.
The "Ohtani flight" from Anaheim to Toronto is the #1 tracked plane in the world right now, with ~4000 people watching it on FlightAware
It's going to be so funny if this is just some dude
— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) December 8, 2023
At this point you could be making fun of these people and doubting whether they are on to something. However, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi confirmed the rumors when he said that Ohtani was flying to Toronto on Friday.
Sources: Shohei Ohtani is en route to Toronto today.
A representative of his agency, CAA, would not comment when asked about Ohtani’s travel plans.
At this hour, Ohtani does not have a signed agreement with any @MLB team. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 8, 2023
That comes amid reports that Ohtani will sign with the Blue Jays.
Despite Ohtani traveling to Toronto and all the reports saying he will sign with them, several major reports say the 29-year-old still has not made a decision.
You know the offseason is in its sweetspot when fans are tracking flights.
