“Come to Seattle!” Mariners fans at ASG give Shohei a taste of the love they’d show him ahead of impending free agency
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – There were a few different occasions where Mariners fans separated themselves from the rest of the crowd that was in town for the 93rd ever Midsummer classic, the third (1979,2001) that the city has ever hosted. There were obvious times when they saluted their All-Star representatives in George Kirby, Julio Rodriguez, and Luis Castillo. There were others, such as booing Astros players and staff. But perhaps the most notable occasion and one that we might look back to in the future is when they shouted “COME TO SEATTLE” on two different occasions at current Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani. Taking a few things into consideration, such as his impending free agency unless the Angels get something done before the offseason, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Ohtani could land in a Mariners uniform.
“Never experienced anything like that, but I definitely heard it. But I was trying to focus on my at-bat.”
Shohei Ohtani is introduced ahead of the 2023 MLB All-Star game (Photo by Mathew Bermudez)
Seattle makes their case
While there will obviously be plenty of suitors for the Oshu, Iwate, Japan born Ohtani unless he’s traded before this year's deadline or the Angels somehow find a way to lock him in long term, the Mariners have a somewhat sturdy case for him. On top of the fans showing out for Shohei with their “COME TO SEATTLE” chants during this year's All-Star game, Seattle has put together a winning ballclub that made the postseason last year and is potentially on the verge of a turnaround that could find them back in the playoff picture this season. While there are certainly other candidates out there for Ohtani and his services that are better winners, see the LA Dodgers, Shohei has shown interest in signing here in Seattle before.
The Mariners had Ohtani up at T-Mobile Park for a visit of the facilities, just a day before he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It was said back then that the major factor in why Ohtani decided to sign with the Angels over the Mariners was that they were more willing to let him hit and pitch, something it sounds like Seattle wasn’t ready to let him do. While they’ve dealt with injuries in their starting rotation and certainly could use his hitting ability, if the Mariners are truly willing to take the next step towards winning a World Series, they must go all in on Ohtani. That would mean allowing him to pitch (which isn’t a bad thing, given how good he is on the mound) and hit as much as he’s willing to.
“Every time I come here the fans are passionate, they’re really into the game. It’s very impressive. I actually spent a couple off-seasons in Seattle. like the city, it’s beautiful. ”
“I did talk to him a little bit, but nothing specific about him coming to Seattle, just asking a couple questions. But that was cool, that was a pretty interesting thing to see how the whole city can, whenever they combine themselves, they can do something pretty amazing and I thought it was pretty cool what they do whenever they came together and do that.”
Shohei Ohtani slides into third base after a flyout by Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (Photo by Mathew Bermudez)
Ohtani’s All-Star performance
While he didn’t pitch during this year's All-Star game due to some concern with a potential pitching related injury right before the All-Star week began, Ohtani was able to take some more shine in during the Midsummer Classic in Seattle. Although he struck out swinging on his first plate appearance, Ohtani worked a walk in the bottom of the fourth and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Shohei made his way to third base on a flyout but was unable to score as Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz grounded out. It wasn’t the most exhilarating sort of performance that we could’ve seen but given that it was in the All-Star game in limited capacity, I won’t take much stock in his outing.
Is it realistic?
This is where things get sticky and some forms of reality step in. Ohtani is going to want to go somewhere that he can win, and he’ll also want a nice payday as well for the services that he brings to whatever team he signs with. Both of those factors will play a major role in where Ohtani decides to take his talents, and Seattle will need to show out in both ways, starting with continuing to win ball games. As mentioned previously, the Mariners have been a team that’s been in the win column a decent amount in recent years, snapping their 20+ year playoff drought last season and find some semblance of form over the course of July after hitting some road bumps in the start of the season. If they are truly able to make a turn for the better as this year rolls on, it’ll be a plus on multiple fronts. Making the playoffs obviously keeps fans happy and continues to help this team get better, but also makes the case for Shohei to Seattle stronger.
Then comes the money aspect for the Japanese superstar, as you can insert your Rod Tidwell “Show me the money” from Jerry Maguire GIFs here. Ohtani is going to want to get paid in addition joining a ballclub that’s going to win, and it’s been known in recent years that Seattle hasn’t shelled out a ton for hig name free agents. If you go back in time, there was Robinson Cano. Robbie Ray is an exception there, being signed ahead of the 2022 season. Luis Castillo and Julio Rodriguez got big extensions this past year to keep them locked up in a Seattle uniform. But is management willing to spend big on Ohtani this offseason after going cheap this past year, adding bargain bin free agents? That’s left to be seen and may be the ultimate deciding factor in whether or not we see Shohei land here in Seattle.
What’s next?
Ohtani is going to have a very busy and interesting offseason considering that he’s the best player in all of baseball. Again, unless something gets done during the season in terms of a trade of contract extension (those both seem unlikely), he’s on the move during the offseason. He should be getting a record-setting deal from whoever he signs with given his two-way play, and we’re hoping that he lands in a Mariners uniform, but we won’t necessarily hold our breath. Following this All-Star game, Ohtani and the Angels are looking to climb their way back into higher position in the AL West as our Mariners have taken their third overall spot. For us in Seattle, we wouldn’t like that, but it’s what Ohtani and the Angels will need to do if they want to get back to winning, something that Shohei has said he values in his career going forward.