Shohei Ohtani’s recent 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers left the baseball world in shock, but it appears that the San Francisco Giants had a chance at securing the superstar before the Dodgers swooped in. Giants President of Baseball Operations, Farhan Zaidi, revealed that Ohtani’s camp had presented the exact deal to San Francisco, and the Giants were open to making the historic agreement.
Zaidi stated, “The proposal that was made was very comparable if not identical to what he wound up agreeing to. … We said we were agreeable to it. It was going to come down to a choice by the player at that point.”
Despite the Giants’ willingness to proceed with the deal, Ohtani ultimately opted to sign with the Dodgers.
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This revelation comes at a time when the Giants have faced challenges in acquiring marquee free agents, having missed out on notable players like Aaron Judge last offseason. The team finished the previous season with a disappointing 79-83 record, falling short of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
While the Dodgers have consistently performed well in the regular season, their postseason success has been limited. Ohtani’s arrival and the structure of his groundbreaking deal aim to position the team for sustained success, aspiring to create the next baseball dynasty.
Ohtani’s decision to stay in Southern California suggests a preference for the region and adds another layer to the competitive landscape between the Dodgers and the Giants in the NL West.
