The San Francisco Giants fell short in their recent pursuits of top-tier MLB free agents, but they reportedly are determined to right that wrong by ensuring they snag one of the two Japanese stars on the market this offseason.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported on Tuesday that the Giants are making it a priority to sign either Shohei Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto in free agency.
Ohtani is a free agent now that his contract with the Los Angeles Angels has expired. The Dodgers have long been believed to be the favorites to sign him.
Ohtani is recovering from elbow surgery that will prevent him from pitching during the 2024 season, but he should be available to serve teams strictly as a hitter.
Yamamoto was posted by the Orix Buffaloes last week. The 25-year-old pitcher has been the Pacific League MVP for three years in a row, a span during which he won the pitching triple crown in each season.
Yamamoto is an absolute ace who was teammates with Ohtani at the 2020 Olympics, where Japan won the gold medal, and the 2023 World Baseball Classic, in which Team Japan came away victorious.
The Giants won the World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014, but they have only made the postseason twice since then. They have had just one winning season since 2017 and are desperate to add some star power.
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