(670 The Score) While president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer on Tuesday cautioned against interpreting the Cubs’ shocking hiring of Craig Counsell as their new manager as a signal that a spending spree awaited in free agency, the organization sure seems set to make some noise this winter.
The Cubs are a serious contender in the sweepstakes for two-way star Shohei Ohtani in free agency, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Tuesday evening after gathering intel from executives across MLB at the GM Meetings. The Cubs are expected to be one of the most aggressive teams in pursuing Ohtani, according to the report.
Even so, it figures to be a steep challenge to land Ohtani, as the Dodgers remain the heavy favorites to sign him, Nightengale reported. The defending champion Rangers, the Red Sox, the Mets and the Giants are also expected to pursue Ohtani.
Ohtani, 29, has hit free agency after an outstanding 2023 season that will surely result in his second American League MVP award in three years. At the plate, he hit .304 with an AL-high 44 homers, 95 RBIs and an MLB-best 1.066 OPS in 135 games. On the mound, he posted a 3.14 ERA and 1.06 WHIP while striking out 167 batters in 132 innings across 23 starts.
Ohtani’s season ended with an injury, as he underwent surgery in September to repair a UCL tear in his throwing elbow. That will prevent Ohtani from pitching until the 2025 season, but he’s expected to be restriction-free as a hitter for all of 2024.
Given his otherworldly talents, Ohtani had long been expected to secure a new contract worth $500 million or more. The elbow issue that will prevent him from pitching in 2024 could affect that calculus, but either way, he’ll command the type of contract rarely, if ever, seen in the game. Ohtani is expected to receive a deal north of $400 million, Nightengale reported.