San Francisco Giants, LA’s longtime NL West division rivals, tried to sign many elite players including Shohei Ohtani in free agency the past two years.
Even with many attempts they keep failing out, despite winning more World Series championships since 2010 (three) than the Dodgers (one).
Buster Posey Says S.F.'s Issues W/ Crime, Drugs Impacted Giants' Ohtani Pursuit | Click to read more 👇 https://t.co/c1SVZVxLkn
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) December 13, 2023
Buster Posey, now a member of the Giants’ executive board under chairman Greg Johnson from being franchise catcher, shared on their unsuccessful pursuit of Ohtani.
He said,
“Unfortunately, we’re in a bit of a free-agent slump. But I believe it can turn around.”
In the aftermath of Ohtani’s choice to sign a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers Posey seems to have a reason why it was unsuccessful.
He claimed San Francisco’s current issues with crime and drugs might be the reason Ohtani is now wearing Dodger blue instead of Giants orange.
Posey, the three-time World Series champ, shared with The Athletic that he thinks his former team’s city truly impacted Shohei’s free agency decision. He said,
“Something I think is noteworthy, something that unfortunately keeps popping up from players and even the players’ wives is there’s a bit of an uneasiness with the city itself, as far as the state of the city, with crime, with drugs.”
He also added,
“Whether that’s all completely fair or not, perception is reality.”
The Giants were reported to also offer Ohtani a same contract value with the one secured from Dodgers.
In an exclusive conversation with Baggarly, former Giants legend and current co-owner of the team Buster Posey shared
“There’s been a bit of uneasiness with the city itself as far as the state of the city with crime and drugs. There was some reservation.”
