Giants Miss $700m Star Shohei Ohtani Due to City Issues, Buster Posey Reveals

Giants’ Ohtani Recruitment

The Giants, vying for Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani’s signature in free agency, encountered obstacles that hindered their pitch.

Despite offering an identical 10-year, $700 million deal, which would largely be deferred until 2034, the team faced challenges in wooing Ohtani away from the Dodgers.

Buster Posey, a Giants legend and part-owner, highlighted concerns about San Francisco’s image that potentially impacted negotiations.

Posey noted the uneasiness expressed by players and their families regarding the city’s state—specifically citing concerns about crime and drugs.

Although Ohtani didn’t directly bring up these issues, Posey suggested there was a certain reservation from Ohtani’s camp regarding the city’s current conditions.

Perception, Posey emphasized, often shapes reality, creating a cycle that affects various aspects, including baseball’s free-agent pursuits.

The perception of San Francisco’s crime rate, reported to be significantly higher than the national average by sources like HomeSnacks, played a role in these discussions.

However, conflicting reports indicated that the city’s violent crime rate was comparatively lower than some other major cities.

Despite these nuances, Ohtani seemingly had a preference for staying in Southern California, a notion confirmed by the Giants’ baseball operations president, Farhan Zaidi.

Ohtani’s unique contract structure, with a substantial amount deferred until after its expiry, has garnered criticism.

The Dodgers’ agreement with Ohtani has faced scrutiny, particularly its financial arrangement, eliciting commentary from critics like Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo.

Commentary:

It’s intriguing to see how off-field elements, such as a city’s image, can play a role in high-profile sports negotiations.

The concerns raised by Posey regarding San Francisco’s perceived issues add a layer of complexity to the competitive landscape of free-agent recruitment.

The impact of these external factors on a player’s decision-making process, even if not directly voiced by the player himself, showcases the multifaceted nature of player acquisitions in professional sports.