BREAKING: As the 2025 World Series kicks off tonight in Toronto, fans are buzzing about an alternate reality where superstar Shohei Ohtani dons a Blue Jays uniform rather than the familiar Los Angeles Dodgers gear. The stakes are high, with Ohtani set to make his first at-bat as the series begins, but what if he had taken the plunge to join the Blue Jays? The implications are staggering.
NEW REPORTS detail the dramatic events of December 8, 2023, when rumors swirled that Ohtani was en route to Toronto to sign with the Blue Jays. Social media lit up as a private jet, tail number N616RH, was tracked flying from Southern California to Toronto, leading fans to believe they were on the cusp of an earth-shattering announcement. In a twist, it turned out the jet was carrying TV personality Robert Herjavec, not Ohtani. Just hours later, Ohtani confirmed via Instagram that he would be joining the Dodgers, leaving Blue Jays fans heartbroken.
But Ohtani wasn’t the only star involved in this saga. Roki Sasaki, another highly coveted player, also faced the dilemma of choosing between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays. His eventual decision to join Los Angeles added another layer to the narrative of what could have been. The fallout from these decisions has shaped the postseason landscape dramatically, and the Blue Jays find themselves in the World Series for the first time since 1993, while the Dodgers aim for back-to-back championships.
So, what if Ohtani had signed with the Blue Jays? Analyzing the potential impact reveals that Toronto’s roster would have been transformed with his presence. Ohtani’s dual-threat capability as both a pitcher and hitter would have significantly boosted the Blue Jays’ performance. In simulations run by analysts, Toronto’s predicted win rate surged, with the team making the playoffs in 92% of scenarios compared to their actual performance.
In stark contrast, the Dodgers faced a reality without Ohtani that would have seen them drop in competitive standing. The Dodgers’ winning percentage would have dipped, with projections indicating they would only have a 71% chance of making the playoffs without the two-way superstar. The loss of Ohtani’s 9.2 bWAR in 2024 and 7.7 bWAR in 2025 would have forced them to recalibrate their roster dramatically.
WHAT’S NEXT? As the series unfolds, fans are left to ponder the monumental “what ifs.” Could the Blue Jays have dominated the league with Ohtani? Would the Dodgers have sought other high-profile players to fill the void? The answers lie in the unpredictable nature of sports, but one thing is clear: Ohtani’s decision has forever altered the trajectory of both franchises.
As the World Series kicks off tonight in Toronto, all eyes will be on the field, but the echoes of what could have been will linger in the minds of fans and analysts alike. Share your thoughts on social media and join the conversation about this thrilling alternate universe!