As the 2025 World Series kicks off in Toronto this Friday night, all eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani, who will take his first at-bat of the Fall Classic donning the familiar Los Angeles Dodgers uniform. However, a tantalizing alternate scenario exists where Ohtani, instead of representing the Dodgers, could have been wearing the Toronto Blue Jays jersey.
In the same vein, another pitching sensation, Roki Sasaki, has made significant contributions to the Dodgers’ postseason run as their new flamethrowing closer. Yet, in another reality, Sasaki might have been the exciting rookie for the Blue Jays instead of aiming to outshine them on the mound.
The proximity to which Ohtani and Sasaki almost joined the Blue Jays instead of the Dodgers raises intriguing questions about how different the landscape of Major League Baseball might have been. Both players were coveted during their respective free agency decisions, which captured international attention and generated a whirlwind of speculation and excitement.
On December 8, 2023, the baseball world was abuzz as rumors swirled that Ohtani was en route to Toronto to sign with the Blue Jays. That morning, a social media post indicated that a private jet previously known to be connected to Ohtani’s meetings was en route to Toronto. Fans even gathered at the airport eagerly anticipating a signing announcement. However, the jet turned out to be carrying “Shark Tank” judge Robert Herjavec, while Ohtani announced on Instagram later that day that he had signed with the Dodgers.
Sasaki’s story mirrored Ohtani’s, as he became one of the hottest names in free agency after announcing his intention to come to the majors from Japan in the 2024-25 offseason. He was heavily pursued by several teams, including the Yankees, Mets, and Blue Jays. In an unexpected twist, the Blue Jays even bolstered their international bonus pool in hopes of signing Sasaki. Ultimately, he too chose the Dodgers, leaving Toronto again to rethink its strategy.
Imagining a scenario where Ohtani had played for the Blue Jays over the past two seasons offers an intriguing examination of how both teams would have fared differently. The Dodgers, while losing Ohtani’s dual-threat capabilities, would have pivoted and diversified their spending. They could potentially have reallocated a significant portion of Ohtani’s salary to secure multiple players, which could provide some depth in their pitching and batting lineups.
Conversely, Toronto might have experienced a considerable increase in competitive performance had Ohtani joined their ranks. With Ohtani’s 2024 contributions projected at nearly 10 bWAR from both his pitching and hitting, the Blue Jays would have bolstered their playoff chances significantly. Simulations of the previous two seasons with Ohtani showed that he could have elevated the team’s performance into playoff contention regularly, highlighting how one significant signing could alter the fortunes of a franchise.
In this alternate timeline analysis, while the Blue Jays did not reach the World Series in a vast majority of simulations, they showed improvement and climbed to a higher competitive tier compared to their actual outcomes. The Dodgers, on the other hand, still excelled with significant postseason success, although missing Ohtani would indeed affect their standing.
As the Dodgers and Blue Jays finish their respective seasons this October, it’s hard not to wonder about the “what-ifs” that may have altered the trajectories for both teams. While Ohtani is set to shine in Toronto as part of the prestigious World Series lineup, the world of baseball will always be captivated by the endless possibilities that free agency can create. With both teams on the brink of relatively improved futures, fans have much to look forward to as the postseason unfolds and even beyond.