Blue Jays' Schneider Makes Shohei Ohtani Flight-Tracking Joke amid Kazuma Okamoto Contract

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider referenced Shohei Ohtani's free agency saga when discussing offseason addition Kazuma Okamoto's flight to join the team.

"Last time I tracked a flight, it wasn't very good for me," Schneider joked with reporters Friday. "But I think he should be here today at 4:00."

During Ohtani's free agency following his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels in Dec. 2023, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported that the two-way superstar was nearing a decision.

Later that morning, fans noticed a private flight scheduled to take off from John Wayne Airport near Anaheim and land in Toronto (h/t Yahoo Sports' Jack Baer).

Morosi initially reported that Ohtani was en route to Toronto on the same day, but eventually apologized for the report containing inaccurate information.

Ohtani ended up signing a massive 10-year contract worth $700 million to join the Dodgers just one day later.

As for the Blue Jays, they were able to make a free-agent splash during the current offseason by handing Okamoto a four-year, $60 million deal on Jan. 3.

He's a six-time NPB All-Star and amassed 15 home runs, 23 doubles and 51 RBI to go along with a .322/.411/.581 slash line in 2025.