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Jesse Rogers, ESPN Personnel Author
CHICAGO– If just the designated player guideline had actually pertained to the National League prior to 2022. It might have altered the course of Japanese two-way star Shohei Ohtani‘s profession– in addition to the trajectory of the Chicago Cubs A minimum of that’s what the Cubs were believing when they pursued him back in 2017, before he signed with the Los Angeles Angels
” It was quite clear he wished to do both [hitting and pitching], and DHing was the very best alternative for that,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stated recently at the basic supervisors conferences. “As excellent as the conference with him went, we constantly understood it was going to be an uphill climb.”
The Cubs was among 7 finalists for Ohtani’s services at that time— and one of 2 not situated on the West Coast. At the time, Chicago remained in the middle of a winning window, having actually made the NLCS 3 straight seasons, taking home a World Series champion in 2016.
” We had things rolling quite well at that point,” Hoyer stated. “I believe he was captivated.”
So were the Cubs.
Ohtani, now the greatest totally free representative in the history of the sport, is choosing where he wishes to play next, and the Cubs are once again thinking about courting him, according to sources knowledgeable about the scenario.
Ohtani is anticipated to win his 2nd American League Many Prized Possession Gamer Award when winners are revealed Thursday night. Everybody understood he might pitch, however what he’s done at the plate over the previous 6 seasons has actually been mind-blowing– for fans and executives alike.
” There were absolutely no concerns about his capability on the mound,” Hoyer remembered. “The offending part of his video game was undervalued.”
There will be a lot of competitors for Ohtani this winter season, however a minimum of Chicago has the DH to use this time around. It likewise simply worked with commonly reputable supervisor Craig Counsell to take control of an 83-win group that simply missed out on the postseason in 2023. Furthermore, the group has payroll coming off the books in the type of Jason Heyward ($ 21 million) and Cody Bellinger ($ 17.5 million), leaving cash for a huge offer. The Cubs were under the high-end tax limit in 2023, ranking 11 th in payroll, making it a little less unwanted to surpass it, if essential.
The timing might lastly be ideal for a Cubs-Ohtani union.
” Ohtani would own Wrigley Field, actually,” one NL scout joked about his possible wage. “He ‘d own Chicago, for sure.”
What Ohtani pursuit indicates for Bellinger
Bellinger was a 2023 success story. Signed to a 1 year offer by Chicago before the season, he won a Silver Slugger Award, together with Resurgence Gamer of the Year honors after putting together a 133 OPS+. And he played terrific defense, both in center field and initially base. He achieved what he set out to do in concerning Chicago: Reconstruct his worth and head back to totally free firm.
” There’s broad interest in Cody Bellinger,” his representative, Scott Boras, stated just recently. “Cody had a terrific experience in Chicago. He can play well anywhere. A great deal of this relates to ownership. It relates to their dedication.”
The Cubs appear devoted to investing cash this offseason, particularly after signing Counsell to a five-year, $40 million agreement, a record for a supervisor
” I saw rapidly that the company remains in terrific health,” Counsell stated. “There is momentum occurring here.”
However while a pairing of Ohtani and Bellinger would be a dream situation for fans, it’s not likely. Numerous sources believe the Cubs are most likely to sign Ohtani than bring Bellinger back on his own huge offer.
” I believe Bellinger is as excellent as gone,” one source knowledgeable about the scenario stated at the start of the offseason.
Scenarios and history are 2 factors the Cubs and Bellinger might not reunite. Initially, there likely will be groups not in the mix for Ohtani that are desperate for the next-best left-handed bat readily available. The New York City Yankees had an interest in Bellinger at the trade due date and will be once again, according to sources knowledgeable about their negotiations. The Toronto Blue Jays have actually been missing out on an unsafe left-handed player too. The San Francisco Giants likewise are amongst Bellinger’s suitors.
Under Hoyer and owner Tom Ricketts, the Cubs have actually been determined in their negotiations with totally free representatives. Setting Ohtani aside, the company isn’t the type that enters bidding wars. And it will not for Bellinger, according to sources knowledgeable about the scenario.
Another side to the story includes Boras and Ricketts personally. They do not have the kind of relationship where the representative can get the phone and work out with the owner like Boras has actually performed in other scenarios.
To wit: The Cubs have actually not signed a Boras customer to a multiyear handle a long time. That consists of gamers on the totally free representative market, ones they have actually prepared who have actually won an MVP ( Kris Bryant) or those they have actually traded for who have actually won a Cy Young Award ( Jake Arrieta). They have actually all proceeded. Bellinger is most likely to too.
Boras was asked if the timing of a Bellinger offer is associated with Ohtani, who is represented by a various firm.
” Bellinger is a position gamer, Shohei is a DH, so those platforms of need are really various,” Boras stated. “Groups that are approaching Cody are groups that desire him to play every day in the field. They might choose a DH and Cody, however their [paths] do not cross since of that factor.”
Ohtani isn’t the only missing out on piece
Whether Ohtani ends up being a Cub or not, the group has other holes to fill, consisting of possibly initially and 3rd base, in addition to its beginning pitching. They can dip down into their farm system for a trade, if essential, as it’s as strong as it’s ever been, ranking 2nd in ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel’s most current analysis
The group likewise has power-hitting infielder/outfielder Christopher Morel playing very first base throughout winter season ball in an effort to discover a home for him around the diamond. If the New York City Mets were to make Pete Alonso readily available for a trade, the Cubs might be a fit, with Morel as a focal point gamer in return, according to sources knowledgeable about their thinking.
However Alonso just recently changed representatives to Boras– who is likewise San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto‘s representative. Both gamers will be totally free representatives after 2024, and while a trade-and-sign offer for either gamer sounds reasonable, it’s not likely.
” I do not believe any gamer wishes to play in a company that he does not understand,” Boras stated. “That’s the typical course.”
To put it simply, playing out the year, then evaluating the totally free representative waters is more than most likely for Alonso and Soto– unless they sign back with their present groups. New Mets president David Stearns likewise stated he anticipates Alonso to be his beginning very first baseman on Opening Day– however, a lot can alter in between once in a while.
At 3rd base, a Cubs reunion with veteran Jeimer Candelario does not promise, according to a source knowledgeable about the scenario. Interest in Candelario need to be high coming off a career-type year, with Toronto and his old group, Washington, currently revealing some. Previous 2nd baseman Nick Madrigal played very well at 3rd for the Cubs when he was healthy last season, however he most likely isn’t the daily alternative there moving on.
The Cubs are likewise in on Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga– the latter has actually currently hung out in Chicago– according to sources knowledgeable about the scenario. They likewise have an eye on Milwaukee starter Corbin Burnes, in case the Makers start to deduct– and Milwaukee wants to trade with the group that simply pilfered its supervisor. The Cubs wants to obtain a starter after Marcus Stroman pulled out of his offer just recently– though young pitching is an abrupt strength for the company. Minors righty Cade Horton might wind up being the leading pitching possibility in baseball next year, according to McDaniel.
However the big wheel is still Ohtani. Like all his suitors up until now, the Cubs are keeping their method near to the vest.
” It didn’t amaze me in the end, he selected an AL group,” Hoyer stated about the 2017 sweepstakes, “however desire we might roll back the clock and having a go at it once again.”
In some cases 2nd possibilities never ever emerge, however 6 years after trying to charm him the very first time, the Cubs are getting another shot.