One day after the MLB offseason officially resumed, the Giants and the National League West rival Los Angeles Dodgers already are competing.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported Friday that San Francisco and Los Angeles are two of the five teams in hottest pursuit of Japanese star outfielder Seiya Suzuki. The Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners are the other three organizations making a noticeable effort to land Suzuki, per Heyman.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Suzuki has spent his entire career with Nippon Professional Baseball's Hiroshima Carp, and in 2021, he tallied a .317/.433/.636 slash line with 38 home runs, 88 walks and just 89 strikeouts in 134 games. He's earned an NPB Best Nine Award -- given annually to the best player at each position -- five times in nine professional seasons.
RELATED: Could Suzuki be the answer the Giants' lineup is seeking?
The Giants already have been busy in the post-lockout free agent market, as they agreed to sign left-hander Carlos Rodón to a two-year deal Friday.
The Giants could use another reliable bat in the outfield. San Francisco returns a versatile bunch in Steven Duggar, Darin Ruf, Austin Slater, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Mike Yastrzemski in 2022, but Suzuki, who's known to have a strong arm, could fit perfectly in right field. That would shift Yastrzemski to primarily play center field and give the Giants another option when facing left-handed pitching, which Yastrzemski has struggled against in his career.
San Francisco Giants
Find the latest San Francisco Giants news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
Signing a talent like Suzuki to join the Giants' outfield would be an exciting addition for the reigning NL West champions. And beating the rival Dodgers to one of the biggest bats remaining in free agency would make it even sweeter.