MLB free agent rumors: SF Giants 'set' on acquiring Shohei Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Will fans of the SF Giants have their hearts broken again this offseason? Or will they finally have a superstar acquisition to celebrate? In a segment with on MLB Network's Hot Stove hosted by Harold Reynolds and Matt Vasgersian, MLB insider Jon Morosi expressed confidence that the Giants front office has locked in on signing at least one of Shohei Ohtani (#1-ranked free agent) or Yoshinobu Yamamoto (#2-ranked free agent) this winter.
"Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto with the San Francisco Giants," Morosi said. "The Giants are right now set on trying to acquire one or the other. They are pursuing both very aggressively and it gets to back to something that you and Harold talked about in the first segment of the show; the Los Angeles Dodgers. How do the Giants find a way to compete with the Dodgers?"
Morosi clarified that he was not speaking purely on speculation or fit. He later said, "Sources tell me the Giants are set, they are devoting their full heart and finances to landing one of Shohei Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the coming weeks."
After a prolonged hiatus from free agent spending, the Giants began seriously pursuing top free agents again last offseason. Of course, they fell short for slugger Aaron Judge and ultimately renegged on an agreement with two-time All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa, citing concerns with a physical. Undeterred, Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi is back trying to acquire one of the best free agents available.
"Shohei Ohtani for the Giants would mean more than probably any other team acquiring him because of what he would mean," Morosi added. "Yes, the Japanese American fanbase in the Bay Area, but more broadly speaking, it's on the field. They need to find the way to get back into this National League West race."
Morosi is far from the first reporter to tie the Giants to Ohtani or Yamamoto. Several reports have tied them to both superstars. It was reported last week that the Giants, Cubs, and Dodgers have been the three most aggressive teams in pursuit of Ohtani and last month, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reported the Giants "won't allow another team to outbid them" for Yamamoto.
It's no secret that Ohtani's free agency sweepstakes will have ripple effects that impact MLB for years to come. The greatest two-way player in MLB history, Ohtani already might be the best baseball player of all time. While Ohtani will be unable to pitch next season after undergoing his second major UCL surgery this offseason, he remains one of the best hitters in the league and would immediately give the Giants the impact bat they have been searching for.
Yamamoto is still only 25 years old and has long been considered one of the best pitchers not already in MLB. Across the past seven seasons in the NPB with the Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes, Yamamoto has a 1.83 ERA with 911 strikeouts and just 204 walks in 890 innings pitched.
Yamamoto has a fastball that primarily sits in the 92-95 mph range, although he has reached the upper 90s. However, his calling card is some of the best command in the world. Yamamoto's splitter is easily his best swing-and-miss pitch. He also has a curveball and the ability to play with his fastball grip to generate sink, cut, and four-seam movement.
If the SF Giants could manage to sign both Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, it would go down as one of the most explosive offseasons in league history. However, either one would likely require the most lucrative contract in franchise history and would still be a massive boon for the fanbase. Of course, there's also the possibility of another failed pursuit, which it seems Zaidi and company are doing everything they can to avoid.
