Dave Roberts: Dodgers met with Shohei Ohtani for 2-3 hours - ESPN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Tuesday that his team met with two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani at Dodger Stadium «a couple days ago,» becoming the first person to divulge even the most basic information about a highly touted free agency that has played out in secrecy.

«Clearly,» Roberts said, «Shohei's our top priority.»

The Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays are believed to be the finalists for Ohtani, who could choose his destination within the week. Blue Jays manager John Schneider, speaking in the wake of reports that his team met with Ohtani at its spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, on Monday, wouldn't comment on talks with Ohtani. Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said he personally has not met with Ohtani but dismissed any connection to the team's overall interest in him.

«I like to be honest,» Roberts said during his media session from the site of the winter meetings. «Yeah, we met with Shohei, we talked. And I think it went well. I think it went well. But at the end of the day, he's his own man. And he's going to do what's best for himself, where he feels most comfortable.»

The Dodgers have long been seen as favorites for Ohtani, though the Blue Jays have emerged as a legitimate threat.

The Dodgers are juggling a pursuit of Ohtani with a desire to add two to three pitchers for their rotation, a need that has placed them among the most aggressive suitors for fellow Japanese starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Signing both is not out of the question.

Ohtani, who has suffered two torn ulnar collateral ligaments in a five-year span, underwent what was vaguely described as some hybrid version of Tommy John surgery in