Do the Giants have a chance if they get MLB star Shohei Ohtani?

Alex Cobb, who played with Ohtani on the 2021 Los Angeles Angels, thinks San Francisco should make a strong offer to sign the two-way star.

When asked by the San Francisco Chronicle’s John Shea about the Giants’ chances of signing Ohtani when he becomes a free agent this offseason, Cobb said, “I do think [making the playoffs] would’ve been an easier sales pitch when it came down to it when you’re arguing against the [Los Angeles] Dodgers or whoever else it might be.”

I still think it would be a great place for him to end up. Being the one who makes a team a serious contender for the World Series is pretty wonderful, too. it’s why he comes here; to do it. It’s like when [Tom] Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That is the single most important factor that led to the turnaround of the Bucs’ franchise. Take the initiative and be that guy. If you try to see the Dodgers, you’ll be disappointed. We’d use that as our sales pitch.

Ohtani would likely make an immediate impact for a San Francisco squad that ended below.500 and missed the MLB playoffs for a second consecutive season, despite having elbow surgery in late September. Ohtani is scheduled to be unrestricted as a batter in 2024 and to return to pitching in 2025.

Cobb witnessed Ohtani’s dedication to his craft up close as the Japanese slugger blew away the competition for AL MVP honors in 2021. After the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, the Giants’ starting pitcher confidently told reporters that Ohtani would sign with the team. This was many weeks before San Francisco was eliminated from playoff contention.

The San Francisco Giants may be lacking a superstar player at the moment, but their promising young rookie class making their Major League Baseball debuts this season gives them hope for the future. It’s possible that the promise of being dubbed MLB’s Tom Brady will be enough to draw Ohtani to the Bay.