Arguing over Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles, Toronto broadcasters make pitch to sign star

The Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes are getting so intense, broadcasters are starting to fight over which team is better suited to sign the two-way star.

As the MLB winter meetings wrap up, few teams are reportedly still left in the running to sign Ohtani, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. With a decision expected in the coming weeks, former MLB player and current SportsnetLA analyst Jerry Hairston Jr. attempted to make an on-air pitch to have Ohtani call Dodger Stadium home.

Instead, it turned into a complete diss of Canada, and after the pitch made it around social media, "Breakfast Television Toronto" host Sid Seixeiro gave his own diss of California, and why Ohtani should be with the Blue Jays instead.

Jerry Hairston Jr.'s pitch for Ohtani to sign with the Dodgers

Hairston mentioned even with the nine franchises he played for in 16 seasons, the Dodgers are above all.

"Like Tommy Lasorda said; if you want to be a real angel, you got to put on the Dodger blue and play at Dodger Stadium," he said.

Then his attention turned toward Toronto.

"Great franchise. 'O Canada,' you'd have to listen to two national anthems up there, bro. The taxes would crush you. You're gonna have a chance to make $500 or $600 million. Canada's too cold, man," Hairston said. "You can commute − if you want to stay there − to Dodger Stadium every single night. The fan base here is electric The stadium is always rocking. I guarantee you every single year, you're gonna have a chance to play in the postseason, win a World Series, hopefully rings, plural. There is nothing like wearing Dodger blue."

Hairston then concluded his pitch by saying Ohtani could solidify himself as the West Coast Babe Ruth.

"This is the place to be," he added.

Sid Seixeiro's pitch for Ohtani to sign with the Blue Jays

After Hairston's pitch he made on Wednesday, Seixeiro opened up his Thursday morning show by clapping back at Hairston.

"He played for nine teams in 16 years. Nobody wanted him on their team. He played for the Dodgers for two years. I know as much about the Dodgers as Jerry Hairston Jr. He played with them for two years. He's an absolute joke," he said.

Then like Hairston, Seixerio then went after the other location.

"Let's talk taxes. Yeah, we got taxes up in Canada, but California has the fifth highest taxes of any state in America," he said. "Oh, you want to buy a place close to Dodger Stadium? Worst traffic in the world is in Los Angeles. Even if you're 10 kilometers away. It's going to take you eight hours to get to work every day."

In case you're unfamiliar with kilometers, 10 kilometers is 6.2 miles.

Seixerio added points of how despite the fact it snows in Canada, it does snow in California as well − in some parts. He also mentioned "the great earthquake" that is expected to hit the state any point, before going into baseball.

"We're talking about titles. Okay, since 1992, who's won more titles, the Jays or the Dodgers?" Seixerio said. "And by the way, listening to two national anthems is great. You know why? Because you get to hear the American one, and then the better one, which is our national anthem.

"Shohei Ohtani we love you. You know what to do. We'll give you your privacy. We'll give you a competitor. We'll give you a controlled environment with a dome. It's renovated and you're gonna get your $600 million, so I hear. Shohei, come home."

Clearly, fans of both sides are trying to pull anything just to sign the two-time AL MVP.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles, Toronto broadcasters argue over signing Shohei Ohtani