Good news: San Francisco Giants announce superstar return..
Amid rumors about Ohtani, Bob Melvin says the Giants want to sign a “Big Time Star Player” in the FA.
With rumors that the San Francisco Giants are interested in signing free agency sensation Shohei Ohtani, the team is focused on bringing in a big fish this winter.
“Star power town that is San Francisco. Our front desk is aware of that. Ownership is aware of that. This is what they’ve been attempting to accomplish. They made some really substantial offers to a few people last year, but it didn’t work out,” Giants manager Bob Melvin stated on MLB Network on Tuesday.
“… It’s a town that really wants to identify with a big-time star player, and that’s what we’re looking to do right now.”
This winter, Ohtani and fellow Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto have been most closely associated with the Giants.
The Giants “are set on trying to acquire” either the veteran Los Angeles Angels slugger or the young player who has played all of his professional career for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, according to a report from MLB Network’s Jon Morosi last week.
According to Morosi, “They’re pursuing both very aggressively.” “The Giants are prepared. They are throwing everything they have at getting either Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Shohei Ohtani in the upcoming weeks.”
The Giants are among the teams reportedly “going big” for Ohtani in free agency, according to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post last week. However, Heyman also noted last month that Oracle Park might provide a barrier for the seasoned hitter to sign with San Francisco.
“Showei Ohtani, a two-way superstar, should get a lot of interest from the Giants. Heyman added, “But some who know Ohtani see their ballpark as a potential obstacle for the Giants.”
“Oracle Park is one of the most gorgeous, but left-handed hitters find it difficult to play there. Some say Ohtani wants to prove he’s the best rather than pursue financial gain (side note: I feel he’s already accomplished that).
“So ballparks may be a factor.”
The Giants hope to regain their prominence after missing the playoffs just once in the previous seven seasons, and Ohtani would be a huge help in that regard. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated them in the National League Division Series of 2021.
After undergoing elbow surgery in September, Ohtani will only be able to hit in 2024, but he should be back on the mound by 2025.
The 29-year-old recently finished a 2023 season in which he played in 135 games and hit.304/.412/.654 with 44 home runs, 95 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. Along the way to winning his second American League MVP, he also went 10-5 on the mound with a 3.14 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings over 23 starts.
After a brilliant 2023 for the Buffaloes, Yamamoto, 25, has become as one of the market’s most sought-after free agents. In 171 innings over 24 games, he finished 17–6 with a 1.16 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 176 strikeouts.
The Giants will be in a much better position to compete in 2024 if they sign either player.
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