With the Chicago Cubs likely out of the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, the team may have shifted their focus to a chase for the other top player in this year’s free agent market.
For the last couple of months, all indications are that the Chicago Cubs want to make some big moves this offseason as they try to build a contender for 2024. Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is the biggest star and impact talent available by far right now, and they were seen as a serious contender for his services heading into the Winter Meetings this week.
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However, while teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are viewed as some of the favorites for the reigning American League MVP, a new report from USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale suggested that the Cubs pursuit of Ohtani may have come to an end.
That certainly does not mean the organization won’t be on the hunt for other elite talents to improve the roster for next season. And it seems they may have shifted their primary focus from one Japanese baseball star to another.
Chicago Cubs likely have shifted primary free agent focus to Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Earlier this week, MLB Network league insider Jon Morosi explained why NPB 2023 MVP Yoshinobu is a top target for Chicago as they try to navigate through what might be the most packed chase in free agency with their Ohtani pursuit over.
“Yamamoto, I think, is a top candidate for the Cubs to get,” Morosi revealed on Monday. “We know they want to find a way to make a big-time splash in that rotation. Yoshinobu Yamamoto I think has even more teams involved in his market than Ohtani does, because it’s so broad for him. He’s 25 years of age. Basically, every team in baseball says, ’25 years of age, three-time Sawamura award winner in Japan, yes please.’ So everybody wants him.”
Morosi claimed that Yamamoto is expected to land a contract that could surpass $200 million and it will be the highest deal handed out this month, only behind whatever record-breaking pact Ohtani gets.
The Chicago Cubs already made a major move this offseason when they shockingly replaced David Ross with Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell before even informing their now-former skipper.