It’s quite simple to go into the fevered, fact-free frenzy that surrounds Shohei Ohtani and the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday when there is a lack of facts and people are so easily seduced into thinking whatever they want to believe.

An internet flight tracker was used to find the suitable airports for a private charter, which was then used to confirm the first hypothetical decision-timing post. Because of the link between B and A, C, an opera singer’s post detailing Yusei Kikuchi’s huge dinner-party reservation at a downtown sushi restaurant, suddenly seems probable. Many people fully buy into the eager expectation of the two-way superstar’s fateful call, which has increased due to a rumor from Dodgers Nation indicating the transaction is done.

All you had to do was add two, two, two, and two to obtain nine in this instance.

An industry insider told Ben Nicholson-Smith and me that Ohtani is reportedly close to making a decision, and the Blue Jays are still very much in the running, but nothing is finalized just yet. Two sources claim that the aircraft from the SNA-YYZ trip in question is registered to Robert Herjavec, the well-known Canadian businessman from Shark Tank and Dragon’s Den who has offices in northeastern Toronto. At Pearson, Ohtani was relaxing at his house in Southern California when its passengers left. Regarding Kikuchi’s dinner plans, I can’t say for sure, but they weren’t related to an Ohtani signing. I hope he has a wonderful evening. That Dodgers Nation report is, to put it mildly, a bit early.

The entire incident infuriated baseball fans, agents, and executives around the business and highlighted the risks associated with accepting unreliable social media rumors as gospel instead of waiting for real, standards-based reporting. The fact that it’s indicative of manias that surface over issues of far greater concern is a serious social issue; fortunately, in this case, the only harm done is to the feelings of those who were duped.

There were definitely some humorous moments—an opera singer who knows what people are having for supper is included in the narrative!?—but there are unsettling similarities to the frenzy that enveloped NBA player Kawhi Leonard’s free agency four years ago, following the Toronto Raptors’ championship victory.

Anything may be made to seem plausible in a covert free agency where everything, including Leonard’s house and eating and shopping habits, was scrutinized before he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. Leonard is a highly private player, much like Ohtani.

All things considered, how many urban legends have you heard from a guy who knows a girl who is cousins with someone whose acquaintance dated their ex-boyfriend used to work at the popular bar? That’s what this turned into.

All of this is largely a result of Ohtani’s extraordinary star power and the unchecked enthusiasm sparked by the Blue Jays’ surprisingly compelling chase of him. It is quite possible that the Canadian team will provide what is anticipated to be the biggest player deal in North American sports history.

Since Ohtani’s visit to the Blue Jays’ Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Florida, earlier this week, expectations have been high. As the stadium is now undergoing the second phase of a $300 million makeover, a similar tour of Rogers Centre is not possible. Therefore, any visit here would likely be for a physical or to sign a contract.

However, given the stakes involved, word of a settlement is unlikely to spread until it’s finalized and nothing remains to be physically agreed upon. Imagine that happening with Ohtani. Recall the drama surrounding Carlos Correa from the previous season, when the shortstop had near-deals with the Mets and Giants before leaving to rejoin the Twins.

With a transaction so delicate to extract an extra news cycle, there’s no way the Blue Jays or Ohtani’s agents at CAA Sports would take that chance.

Thus, one of the most distinctive and fascinating free agency situations in sports history persists, with fans on edge and an industry keen for Ohtani’s deal to close so that other deals can follow. Don’t worry, you’ll know when it’s finished. There’s no need to piece together articles about dinner reservations or flight trackers.