SF Giants’ Alex Cobb faces Ohtani, then makes a bold prediction: ‘He’s coming to San Francisco’
SEATTLE — Asked who he most wanted to face in his first All-Star Game, Giants starter Alex Cobb had an easy answer: Shohei Ohtani.
Besides being the sport’s biggest star, Cobb and Ohtani are former Angels teammates and offseason training partners.
Entering in the fourth inning Tuesday at T-Mobile Park, Cobb got his wish. Ohtani spoiled a first-pitch curveball and went on to draw a rare walk from Cobb.
Those, however, won’t amount to Cobb’s biggest pitches to Ohtani, set to hit free agency this winter, when he could command a contract of $500 million or more.
“I’m already campaigning for him,” Cobb said after his inning of work, escaping without allowing a run.
Careful to avoid tampering charges, Cobb began his answer by saying, “I don’t know how to answer that question appropriately, honestly.”
But the 35-year-old veteran went on to explain — as if it needed any explanation — what the addition of Ohtani, who was voted into the All-Star Game as a hitter and a pitcher, would mean for the Giants, who this past winter added Aaron Judge as the latest chapter in their failed pursuits of free-agent superstars.
“Whatever you thought Judge would’ve been as the face of the Giants, he would eclipse that with the whole country,” Cobb said. “You look for people to be the face of your franchise, not only as skilled, but off the field who they are.”
Together for only the 2021 season in Anaheim, crossing paths while training at Driveline, Cobb called Ohtani “one of my favorite teammates to play with.”
“I’ve never been around somebody who wants to win more than Shohei,” Cobb said. “I would love to say I want to win as much as anybody. But he will do anything to win. … Just watching in awe of everything he did and how good of a person he is and how humble of a person he is, it makes it really special.”
The Giants, and 28 other teams, are expected to embark in the hottest free-agent pursuit in the sport’s history this winter. But there is, maybe, possibly, a way to jump the line. With Mike Trout ruled out for the next month and the Angels skidding into the All-Star break, could Ohtani’s team consider trading the generational superstar?
“I’d be thrilled if there was some avenue for us to get him at the deadline and sign him long-term,” Cobb said. “But if not at the deadline, then during this offseason.”
Ohtani didn’t pitch this All-Star Game because of a blister on his throwing hand, but Cobb understood he was made for this stage.
He wasn’t surprised that Ohtani attacked the first pitch, with the Japanese star later telling reporters that he was waiting for it.
“So he thought he was gonna hammer it? That’s not surprising,” Cobb said with a laugh. “He’s a showman. He’s made for the spotlight. I figured if I grooved a fastball in there – I’ve seen him put it up in the third deck here as a teammate of his. I didn’t want to see it from the mound. … I was definitely trying to challenge him. I just couldn’t get a very good grip on the ball.”
When Ohtani stepped into the box, Cobb said “he gave me a little wink and a nod.”
More noticeable were the choruses of chants each time Ohtani came to bat, the Seattle crowd making an in-unison plea for Ohtani to consider them.
“Come-to-Sea-attle!” “Come-to-Sea-attle!”
It was impossible to ignore, particularly from the pitchers mound.
“He’s not coming to Seattle,” Cobb said with a sly smile. “Ichiro’s already got his stamp on here. He needs a new place. He’s coming to San Francisco.”