On the Giants Talk podcast, hosts Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic discuss the leadership role that Giants ace Logan Webb has taken on in the clubhouse this season. They also touch on a recent incident involving Shohei Ohtani’s free agency, where false reports circulated about Ohtani being on a flight to Toronto. During this time, Logan Webb found himself involved in the news cycle when Ohtani followed him on Instagram, causing speculation and excitement among fans in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, and other cities. On the podcast episode, Webb shares his experience and sheds light on how he navigated through the situation.
Logan Webb’s connection to Shohei Ohtani on Instagram sparked excitement among Giants fans, as they hoped it indicated a potential signing. Webb had followed Ohtani on Instagram for a few years, and during an offseason trip to Hawaii, he received a notification that Ohtani was now following him back. Webb shared his excitement with his wife and even received a congratulatory message from Giants President of Baseball Operations, Farhan Zaidi.
For a brief period, Giants fans allowed themselves to dream that Ohtani’s follow could imply a potential connection with a future teammate. However, Ohtani ultimately signed a $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, ending any hopes of him joining the Giants. Despite this, Webb remained on Ohtani’s short list of followed accounts. Ohtani, who has millions of followers, follows only a select few, including Webb, even after choosing a rival team.
In recent years, players like Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford have taken on the role of recruiting potential players during the offseason. However, Webb has now become the go-to player for the Giants’ front office in terms of recruiting efforts. Webb has expressed his willingness to help in any way during the offseason, leading to conversations with notable stars such as Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa. Webb uses these opportunities to provide insights about the Giants’ clubhouse and what it’s like to play in San Francisco.
Logan Webb shared his experiences with the recruiting process and how he feels a sense of hope every time he participates in interviews or meetings with potential players. He mentioned that he had a successful recruiting experience with Jordan Hicks, who ended up joining the Giants. However, for the most part, Webb has been unsuccessful in his efforts to recruit players.
Webb acknowledged that it can be disappointing when he meets with players and develops a sense of false hope that they will choose the Giants. Despite the challenges, Webb recognizes the value of having a star player involved in the recruiting process. He mentioned Buster Posey’s humorous take on his own unsuccessful recruiting attempts and the idea that he should stop attending meetings.
Although the Giants fell short in their pursuits of players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, they still managed to assemble a strong free agent class during the winter. Webb had the opportunity to benefit from one of the early meetings when he traveled on a flight with Bob Melvin, the Giants’ new manager. Webb appreciated the chance to pick Melvin’s brain, ask questions about the A’s (Melvin’s former team), and learn more about his expectations for the Giants.
Overall, Webb continues to play an active role in the recruiting process, leveraging his stature within the organization and the game to engage with potential players and contribute to the team’s efforts.
