Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani still in Blue Jays' head after John Schneider's latest comment

When the dust settled, it almost seemed too obvious that Shohei Ohtani wound up as a Los Angeles Dodger, but there was a moment where it seemed legitimately plausible that he would sign with the Toronto Blue Jays.

A poorly calculated flight and a reveal of Ohtani's dog's name later, and the four-time MVP changed the baseball landscape by inking a $700 million contract with the Dodgers to remain in Los Angeles. It was a wild free agency saga with almost no equal, one which apparently hasn't left the minds of the Blue Jays or their fans.

Regarding the arrival of fellow Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto, Jays manager John Schneider made a snide remark referencing Ohtani's free agency journey, acknowledging the flight tracked around the world.

For those wondering, Okamoto did make it to Blue Jays camp, though he'll spend most of spring training helping Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto try to defend Japan's 2023 World Baseball Classic title.

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani coup remains bane of Blue Jays' existence years later

It's safe to say that the winning the Ohtani sweepstakes — even at the eye-watering price of $700 million — has been worth the investment from the Dodgers.

Though he's only been with the team for two years, his legacy is already secured. He's doubled his MVP trophy count from two to four, in addition to the pair of World Series titles he's piloted the Dodgers to. And he's done most of that damage entirely as a hitter, having only thrown 47 innings (67 1/3 including the playoffs) since signing his historic contract.

While the Blue Jays have rebounded nicely from their Ohtani whiff — they recycled that budget nicely in a $500 million extension for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — it's clear that they still rue the day they failed to get him on an actual flight to Canada.

With Ohtani leading the charge, the Dodgers have become so dominant (both on the field and in free agency meetings) that the whole baseball world is blaming them for "ruining the sport." The league appears prepared hold an elongated lockout in part to try and stop the budding, rampaging dynasty brewing in Hollywood.

For now, Ohtani and his teammates can eye a three-peat, potentially against Okamoto and the Jays, in 2026.