The Giants reportedly want to do everything they can to lure Shohei Ohtani to San Francisco.
On Thursday, San Francisco Chronicle columnist John Shea said the California club intends to “use the heavy artillery” to reach an agreement with the highest-profile free agent in Major League Baseball.
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Player agents, who wished to remain anonymous, even told him that the Giants would be on the Japanese phenom’s list.
“I think the Giants are a perfect fit,” one of the representatives said. The gamekeepers [du Texas] seem to be well built to last a long time. The Dodgers [de Los Angeles] should be in discussion. You also have to think about the Yankees [de New York], because they can still make it work. He can go wherever he wants.”
Ohtani decided to quit the Los Angeles Angels and have complete free agency. The one who is as good at bat as he is on the mound could land the most lucrative contract in major baseball history.
However, the Nippon appears to have very specific conditions, including joining a team aspiring to great honors. In his six seasons with the Angels, he never made the playoffs.
The Giants have played October baseball just once in the last seven seasons. The San Francisco organization tried to break out of its torpor by courting free agents last year, but it was a failure. She almost succeeded in seducing Aaron Judge, but he chose to stay with the Yankees. The Giants also agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract with Carlos Correa before the deal was broken after concerns arose about his right ankle following a medical exam.
A seduction that began some time ago
This isn’t the first time the Giants have been linked to Ohtani.
When San Francisco played a series against the Angels last August, the Giants players didn’t hesitate to convince the 29-year-old superstar to join them next offseason.
“I know the Giants, Dodgers and Cubs [de Chicago] were at the top of Shohei’s list when he made the jump to Major League Baseball. Since there was no designated hitter [dans la Ligue nationale] It wasn’t realistic back then,” said Giants pitcher Alex Cobb, whose comments were reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
“Now that there are no more restrictions, I think he wants to work in a big market and with a team that can aim for big awards for several seasons. There is also a large Japanese diaspora in San Francisco.”
“I absolutely see that possibility if we offer him the full amount,” the artilleryman added.
Ohtani had a great campaign this year. At the plate, he batted .304 and hit 44 home runs in 497 plate appearances. He also compiled a 10-5 record and a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts on the mound. An injury will keep him from pitching in 2024.