At the conclusion of the 2023 MLB season, everyone will be wondering where Shohei Ohtani will play in 2024 and beyond. The Chicago Cubs aren’t among the favorites to land the superstar, claims Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Nightengale spoke about the prospective suitors for Ohtani this coming offseason on the “Jack Vita Show” in late August. Due to the hefty asking price, which is likely to come from Ohtani’s camp, Nightengale proposed that the field may be reduced to only four teams.
There are never many teams participating when the price is high, according to Nightengale. The Dodgers and the Angels are available. The San Francisco Giants certainly need him more than anyone, and the Padres are notorious for their extravagant spending.
When questioned about some of the teams from other major markets like New York and Chicago, Nightengale said he thought Ohtani might not be used to the “big city” way of life.
“Neither New York nor anything else are of interest to him. The Cubs were on his initial list, after all. Evidently, he didn’t sign there, according to Nightengale.
When the two-way star enters the free-agent market in the upcoming offseason, Chicago may not be in the running because of Nightengale’s explanation of why he thinks Ohtani isn’t a fan of the big-city lifestyle.
He stays inside. All (he) does is live and breathe baseball.
Is Bob lying or is he right?
In terms of where Shohei Ohtani will sign next offseason, let’s be honest: Do we truly believe Nightengale is knowledgeable? Ohtani might choose to remain on the West Coast and not particularly enjoy living in a big metropolis. But ultimately, whoever makes the best contract offer will have his services. I don’t buy the notion that just “three or four teams” will legitimately be in the running, whether or not that is with the Cubs.
I won’t be overly disappointed if the Cubs decide not to pursue Ohtani because I live on the North Side. It’s a very serious probability that he won’t be able to pitch again until the middle of the 2025 season due to a torn UCL. Giving Ohtani a record-breaking contract in light of this is a gamble.
Ohtani is without a doubt one of baseball’s top batters. His pitching record speaks for itself, and his 304/.412/.654 slash line with 44 home runs and 95 RBIs cannot go overlooked. But given that they already have a strong squad, do the Cubs really want to gamble on Ohtani? And shouldn’t signing former MVP Cody Bellinger, who has evidently regenerated himself in Chicago, be Jed Hoyer’s top priority this offseason?
Do the Cubs actually need Ohtani in Chicago for the foreseeable future? I’m not saying I wouldn’t want him there. Fans will debate this $500+ million question over the upcoming few months.