Can the San Francisco Giants turn their franchise around by acquiring MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani?
Alex Cobb seems to think so, and the former teammate of Ohtani believes it would be the perfect move for the Giants to land the two-way wonder.
“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,” Cobb recently told the San Francisco Chronicle’s John Shea when asked about the team’s chances of signing Ohtani this offseason.
“I still think it’s a very desirable destination for him to end up being. I think there’s something cool also to being the guy that turns an organization into a legitimate World Series contender. He comes here and does that. It’s kind of like when [Tom] Brady went to the Bucs. You can point at that as being the key reason why the Bucs’ franchise turned around. Be that guy. You go to the Dodgers, it’s not the same. That would be our pitch.”
Despite undergoing elbow surgery in late September, Ohtani would likely have an immediate impact on a San Francisco team that finished below .500 this season and missed the MLB playoffs for a second straight year. Currently, Ohtani is expected to be free of restrictions as a hitter in 2024 and resume pitching in 2025.
Cobb has witnessed Ohtani’s work ethic firsthand during their time as teammates with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, where the Japanese slugger won the AL MVP award. The Giants pitcher confidently stated in an interview after the 2023 MLB All-Star Game that Ohtani would sign with the Giants, weeks before San Francisco’s playoff hopes faded away.
With a promising young class of rookies making their MLB debuts this season in San Francisco, the Giants seem poised to make strides in the future. All they need is a superstar to build around. And who knows, maybe becoming the Tom Brady of MLB will be enough to entice Ohtani to join the Giants.
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David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.
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