Giants believed to be among finalists for Shohei Ohtani offers – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

The stove in Shohei Ohtani’s kitchen is incredibly hot.

With the Japanese MLB star expected to make his decision on free agency next week, Giants fans are sure to be wondering where their team’s chances of signing him stand.

Along with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels, the Giants are believed to be among the teams Still in bidding John Heyman of the New York Post reported Sunday that he has been named AL Most Valuable Player twice.

The Giants, after signing a star last winter, made it clear they planned to pursue Ohtani this offseason, but their position in negotiations has remained somewhat unclear so far. But as the finalists have been reported, they’ll have to be ready to dish out some serious money, according to Heyman.

The two-way phenom “is believed to have already received multiple bids worth as much as $500 million, and some are speculating he could end up as baseball’s first $600 million first baseman — or close, at least,” Heyman wrote.

Along with Ohtani, the Giants are also reportedly pursuing top free agent starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was officially assigned by the Orix Buffaloes to the Nippon Professional Baseball League on November 20. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported this week that San Francisco is “set” on getting one or the other this offseason.

“Sources tell me the Giants are ready, they are devoting all their hearts and money to landing one of Shohei Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the coming weeks,” Morosi said during “Hot Stove” on Tuesday.

Only time will tell if the Giants are able to put their money where their mouth is this time in free agency — and it looks like the answer could come soon.

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