(670 The Score) This time around, the Cubs are on a more level playing field in their pursuit of two-way star Shohei Ohtani in free agency.
Back in late 2017, there was no designated hitter in the National League, a factor that limited the Cubs’ chance to land Ohtani, who signed with the Angels after being posted by his Japanese club. While it didn’t go the Cubs’ way, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer still has a fond memory of the meeting between the sides.
"We had a great meeting at that time,” Hoyer said at the GM Meetings in reflecting on 2017. “We prepared a ton for the get-together. It was a really good dialogue and meeting. Obviously, he was only going to choose one out of the seven teams involved. I wasn't surprised he took a meeting with us considering our team at that time. I think it was only us and Texas that weren’t on the West Coast. We had it rolling at that time, and I think he was intrigued.”
The Cubs now hope the 29-year-old Ohtani is intrigued once again. As the start of the Winter Meetings loom in a week, Ohtani’s decision on his next destination is the focus of the baseball world, and the Cubs will continue to be aggressive in their pursuit of him, sources said.
Ohtani has hit free agency after a season in which he won the American League MVP award for the second time in three years. He .304 with 44 homers, 95 RBIs and an MLB-best 1.066 OPS in 135 games in 2023, when he also posted a 3.14 ERA and 1.06 WHIP while striking out 167 batters in 132 innings across 23 starts.
Ohtani won’t pitch in 2024 after having elbow surgery in September, but he has been cleared to be a full-time hitter next season and is expected to return to the mound in 2025. Whichever team he signs with, Ohtani is expected to command more than $45 million annually on his next contract.
The Cubs understand it will take a historic offer to land Ohtani, and they're willing to be creative in negotiations. With Ohtani’s pitching career on hold for one season, the Cubs would likely be willing to give him the flexibility to have opt-out language in the contract.
With Ohtani in the prime of his career, his hitting alone will make him the highest-paid player in the game. The pitching portion of Ohtani’s new contract could be tied to his availability on the mound and/or appearances made, an avenue that would give the team some protection in the case of further arm injuries while also allowing Ohtani the chance to earn all the money he deserves as one of the greatest players of all time.
If for some reason Ohtani wants a shorter-term deal with a higher average annual value than he’d get on a long-term contract, the Cubs will be prepared to pounce with that sort of offer.
While money will be an important element for Ohtani, it may not be the deciding factor. The expectation across MLB is that he’ll be focused on what type of winning environment a team can provide him.
“I have never seen any player more organized with his day of work and preparation than Shohei,” an MLB executive said. “He doesn't talk to the media very often because his days are filled with work as both a hitter and pitcher. Shohei is a terrific teammate. He has a lot of interaction with the players and coaches. He has fun with them and shares his knowledge about the game all the time.
“Shohei wants to win. I know that is a cliché, but in his case, it’s a major factor in signing somewhere.”
Coming off an 83-win season, the Cubs have a strong belief in what they can offer Ohtani beyond big money. They believe they now have the best manager in the game after firing David Ross and installing Craig Counsell in their dugout. They believe in their core at the MLB level and their farm system, which is rated among the top five in baseball.
Any team that lands Ohtani will reap benefits that extend beyond his on-field excellence. From a marketing perspective in the Cubs’ case, they would have the opportunity to generate massive amounts of revenue because of him, from increased attendance at Wrigley Field to increased merchandise sales to increased direct-to-consumer subscriptions for the Marquee Sports Network to sales sponsorships and more. Foreign market revenue opportunities, notably in Japan, would also present themselves.
When it comes to the pursuit of the most uniquely gifted player in MLB, the Cubs plan to be all in on the Ohtani pursuit until the end.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.