After missing out on Juan Soto, SF Giants await Ohtani decision
Dec 7, 2023, 9:20 AM
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
The first significant domino of the MLB offseason has fallen.
Superstar outfielder Juan Soto was traded by the San Diego Padres to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night–exactly one year to the day that the Bronx Bombers re-signed Aaron Judge to a nine-year, $360 million deal.
Soto, 25, is one of the best hitters in the game and a player who is lined up to become a free agent following the 2024 season, but that didn’t stop New York from sending back four pitchers and catcher Kyle Higashiaoka in return for at least one year with the left-handed slugger.
While the San Francisco Giants were rumored to be one of several teams interested in trading for Soto, the Padres didn’t want to trade the outfielder inside the National League West division and instead traded him into the American League.
Soto Season. pic.twitter.com/lt8TFPZgGk
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 7, 2023
Following Soto trade, Giants seek Ohtani decision
The Giants’ chances in trading for Soto were slim, but San Francisco has its eyes on reigning American League MVP and current free agent Shohei Ohtani, who will reportedly make his decision on picking a new home by the end of this weekend.
“It’s not today, but it’s going to be soon,” MLB Network’s Jon Morosi said of Ohtani’s decision on Wednesday at the MLB Winter Meetings. “We know that the Dodgers have met with him. There are strong indications that the Giants and Blue Jays both met with him. The Angels have that home-field advantage, so to speak.
“He has met with all of the finalists. Now, it’s decision time. It’s decision time for Shohei Ohtani.”
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser recently reported that Ohtani met with Giants officials last weekend in the Bay Area, while it was also widely reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays met with the All-Star this week as well.
According to Morosi, the Dodgers are still widely viewed as the favorite to sign Ohtani, but it’s hard to know for sure what the 29-year-old will do come decision time.
The latest on the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes…@jonmorosi | #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/2joPaOG8By
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 6, 2023
Ohtani is expected to sign a contract between $500 and $600 million, with multiple outlets previously reporting that San Francisco will be tough to out-bid after missing out on several top free-agent targets in recent years.
The Giants, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Angels are viewed as the finalists for the two-way sensation, though there are conflicting reports regarding whether or not the Chicago Cubs are out of the running.
Nobody truly knows what Ohtani will do, and we will have to wait a little longer to find out if the MVP will join San Francisco’s rival in southern California or become the next great Giants slugger.
More SF Giants Free Agency News
MLB Offseason Schedule
- December 4-7th – MLB Winter Meetings
- December 6th – Rule 5 Draft
- Mid-February – Spring Training begins
SF Giants Schedule
- February 13-15th – Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training workouts
- February TBD – Full squad workouts
- Saturday, February 24th – Spring Training opener vs. Chicago Cubs
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