Shohei Ohtani Won't Return Blue Jays Gifts After Manager Joke on Failed Contract Talks

The Toronto Blue Jays were in the mix on superstar Shohei Ohtani before he eventually chose the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency two offseasons ago.

On Thursday, one day before Toronto and L.A. are set to begin the World Series, Blue Jays manager John Schneider joked that Ohtani should give back the gifts the team gave him, including a hat to the slugger/pitcher and a jacket to Decoy, his dog.

Later on Thursday, Ohtani was asked about Schneider's comments.

"I plan to keep it because it was something that was a gift," Ohtani said via interpreter Will Ireton (h/t Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic).

He also noted where that Blue Jays hat is located.

Ohtani just arguably authored the best individual game in MLB history, hitting three home runs at the plate while striking out 10 over six shutout innings on the mound in a 5-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers to clinch the National League Championship Series in a four-game sweep.

The likely NL MVP enjoyed another phenomenal season, amassing 55 home runs and 102 RBI while leading the National League with a 1.014 OPS. He's won the MVP award three of the last four seasons (two in the American League with the Los Angeles Angels, one with the Dodgers last year).

It was tough for Toronto to miss out on Ohtani in free agency at first, as the Blue Jays finished last in the American League East with a 74-88 record in 2024. However, Toronto enjoyed an incredible renaissance in 2025, improving by 20 wins, taking the AL East title and earning the pennant for the first time since 1993.

The Blue Jays now hope for their first World Series title in 32 years beginning Friday when they host the Dodgers for Game 1.