Shohei Ohtani’s Agent Reveals Close Ties to San Francisco Giants

In the pursuit of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani in free agency, the Giants are exploring all possible avenues to bring him on board.

New manager Bob Melvin’s extensive experience coaching players from the Pacific Rim could be instrumental in attracting the Japanese superstar. Additionally, starting pitcher Alex Cobb, Ohtani’s former teammate, initiated his recruitment efforts over the summer at the All-Star Game, which may prove to be beneficial.

Moreover, the Giants could potentially use the connections of someone within their organization to forge a link with Ohtani or his representatives.

The Athletic recently published a story on Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, who interestingly has connections with current members of the Giants organization. Balelo, drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1985, was teammates with Giants Triple-A coach Dave Brundage and major-league pitching coach Bryan Price in 1988.

According to The Athletic, Price, who was recently appointed to Melvin’s staff, has maintained a close personal and professional relationship with Balelo over the years, potentially giving the Giants an advantage in their pursuit of Ohtani’s services.

With Ohtani’s availability this offseason after recovering from Tommy John surgery, Price, a friend of Balelo, would be able to work closely with Ohtani in his journey back to the mound in 2025.

Even though Ohtani will be limited to hitting in 2024, his potential relationship with Price could be crucial in extending his career as a pitcher.

While the decision ultimately rests with Ohtani, the presence of a respected pitching coach like Price, who has the trust of the superstar’s longtime agent, could work in the Giants’ favor in their recruitment efforts.

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