Will Ohtani and Yamamoto really eat at the same table?

Bob Melvin, 61, former manager of the San Diego Padres, has been named the new manager of the San Francisco Giants, multiple U.S. media outlets reported.

Melvin previously managed the Seattle Mariners for two years starting in 2003. He also managed in Arizona (2005-2009), Oakland (2011-2021), and for two seasons in San Diego starting in 2022.

Melvin reportedly has a good relationship with Asian players. He worked with Ichiro Suzuki in Seattle and Hideki Matsui in Oakland. In San Diego, he had a good relationship with Darvish Yu and Ha-Sung Kim.

With the news of Melvin’s departure to San Francisco토토사이트, the Giants are expected to see a flurry of Korean and Japanese players.

KBO’s top hitter Lee Jung-hoo and Japanese NPB pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Orix Buffaloes could join the Giants. San Francisco has consistently shown interest. The Giants are considered the favorite to sign Lee, with the general manager personally traveling to Korea to watch him.

It’s not just the two players. Galactic star Shohei Ohtani, who is valued at more than $500 million, could also be in the mix. Ohtani is a free agent and is expected to move on. He’s on San Francisco’s shopping list as they look to revive their franchise.

According to The Athletic, “Melvin has built a strong relationship with Kim Ha-seong. He played with Lee at Kiwoom and is still a close friend.” Melvin’s influence could help San Francisco land Lee.

“Melvin is a coach who understands Japanese players,” said Junichi Sports. He has an absolute trusting relationship with Darvish,” and “he could be a trump card in the negotiations to sign Otani and Yamamoto in the offseason.”

San Francisco has won just one district title in the last seven seasons and is looking to bolster its roster. With Melvin at the helm, Lee Jeong-hoo will join the ranks of Oh and Yamamoto, and a trio of Korean and Japanese stars will help San Francisco revive its storied program. Can it really happen?