A new report claims that general managers around MLB believe the Chicago Cubs could be a serious dark horse contender in the Shohei Ohtani free agency sweepstakes this month.
With the World Series now in the books, the focus of MLB now shifts to the offseason and the start of free agency this week. And there is no bigger name on this year’s market than 2023 MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani. Despite suffering another tear in the UCL ligament and undergoing a second Tommy John surgery recently, the two-way star is expected to land a historic contract in the next few weeks.
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For months, there has been a great deal of speculation over which teams could be serious contenders in the market for the Japanese superstar. Of course, wealthy teams like the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Yankees are expected to make a pitch to the All-Star. However, the World Series champion Texas Rangers, and San Francisco Giants are also expected to be suitors for his services.
Furthermore, it is hard to completely rule out the Los Angeles Angels, who will likely do all they can to bring back the face of their franchise.
Yet, in huge free-agent chases like this, there is always a team lying in the weeds and ends up being a surprise contender. Well, it seems GMs around the league view one particular team as the dark horse in the Ohtani sweepstakes.
Chicago Cubs will have $43 million in free salary to throw at Shohei Ohtani this winter
- Shohei Ohtani stats (2023): .304 AVG, .412 OBP, .654 SLG, 44 HR, 95 RBI, 102 R
On Sunday, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported that “The Chicago Cubs are the sleeper pick, several GMs say, particularly with $43 million coming off their books with the expiration of Jason Heyward’s contract and Marcus Stroman opting out.”
Nightengale also reported that the Cubs have no intention of trying to re-sign Stroman this winter, which suggests that the aforementioned $43 million will stay available and is a nice starting point to throw at the three-time All-Star who is expected to get a deal near $500 million.
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However, Nightengale agreed with similar reports recently that the Dodgers are still viewed as a heavy favorite to land Ohtami in MLB free agency.
There has been speculation that Ohtani would like to stay on the West Coast and that’s why a move to the East seems unlikely. It would seem that Chicago would offer the same too-far-from-Japan problem for the one-time MVP.
