They were using the Jays, Lou. Typical negotiating tactic. Act equally interested in another team to drive up the final offer. Dodgers must have started at 500 then maybe Blue Jays came in at 600 and that forced the Dodgers' hand. But I don't think Toronto was going to 800. And I don't think Ohtani really wanted to ever leave SoCal.

As much as I love sports, this kind of contract is bad for baseball, bad for the fans, and in a philosophical sense, bad for society. When our fathers were growing up, pro athletes were not so far removed from everyone else. Many of them worked second jobs or started their own businesses in the offseason. Fans could afford to go to every single home game if they wanted to. But society seemed to have its priorities in order. Let's make sure everyone can get a college/grad school education without drowning in student loans for the rest of their lives. Let's make sure everyone can own their own home at a reasonable price. Let's make sure everyone has access to good healthcare when they need it without going into bankruptcy.