Giants’ failed pursuit of $700m superstar Shohei Ohtani was hampered by San Francisco’s problem with crime and drugs, Buster Posey says – after Japanese icon chose LA instead

Giants legend and part-owner Buster Posey believes San Francisco’s reputation for crime and drugs hampered the team’s recruiting efforts of Shohei Ohtani.

The Japanese superstar agreed to a 10-year, $700million deal with the Dodgers last week, though the vast majority of that contract will be deferred until 2034.

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi told reporters Tuesday that the team offered the same exact terms. But Posey – who was part of the team’s group to pitch Ohtani on signing  – believes negotiations were impacted by San Francisco itself.

 ‘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 told The Athletic.

‘Whether that’s all completely fair or not, perception is reality,’ he said. ‘It’s a frustrating cycle, I think, and not just with baseball. Baseball is secondary to life and the important things in life. But as far as a free-agent pursuit goes, I have seen that it does affect things.’

And Giants legend Buster Posey thinks San Francisco’s reputation for crime hurt the Giants

 Homeless people are seen in Mission District of San Francisco, California, United States

While Ohtani did not bring the topic up himself, Posey said, the ex-catcher claimed ‘there was some reservation with the state of the city right now’ from the 29-year-old’s camp.

According to website HomeSnacks, San Francisco’s violent crime rate is 88.2 percent higher than the national average.

However, reporting fromn the San Francisco Chronicle in April indicated that the city’s violent crime rate is lower than Dallas, Seattle and New York.

Nonetheless, that may not have mattered as Zaidi said there was a ‘preference’ for Ohtani to stay in Southern California after he began his career with the Angels.

Ohtani will reportedly be deferring $680m of his deal to be paid after it expires – meaning he’ll be paid an average annual salary of only $2m per year.

The nature of the deal has been criticized by many, including Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo