Shohei Ohtani Decision Expected In Next 24 Hours With One Team Gaining Momentum

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The clock appears to be winding down on the Shohei Ohtani free agency saga.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported Friday that an Ohtani destination is likely to be determined in the next 24 hours.

Morosi also noted that two teams appear to remaining at the forefront of the discussion, with one in particular gaining momentum in recent days.

That team is the Toronto Blue Jays, which only recently entered the discussion for the Japanese superstar.

“In the last week, since his visit to Dunedin, Florida on Monday, momentum has built for the Blue Jays.”

Morosi went on to say that the Blue Jays aren’t necessarily the final destination. But he noted that the Jays have “certainly improved their standing” in the last couple days.

The MLB insider noted that five teams began the week in the running for Ohtani. But the Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers, who started the process as the favorite, appear to stand out above the rest.

“The Dodgers have been regarded as the favorites. And that was still the case as of the middle of this week,” Morosi said. “But again, this is now happening in real-time today. I do believe that this final group of teams does involve the Blue Jays and the Dodgers. I’m not sure how many other teams are in that final group. And we should be hearing, we believe, sometime in the next 24 hours.”

So there you have it. Shohei-mania has just about reached its main event. Where Ohtani ultimately chooses, however, is anybody’s guess.