Chicago Cubs: The Otani situation, and how the Cubs fit in

I guess it would be reasonable that you haven’t heard of him, I don’t spend all of my time watching Japanese baseball either.

Shohei Otani is the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters best pitcher.  Two things: one that’s one of the best names I’ve ever heard, secondly Otani isn’t just a great pitcher, he’s also a great hitter.

When was the last time there was an excellent hitter who was also an outstanding pitcher?  Well, there was that guy… uh, what’s his name again?  Oh yeah, George Herman Ruth! I get it now!

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Before you look at his stats, understand that while Japanese Baseball is still respectable professional baseball, it’s not the same thing as the majors or even some of the minor leagues.

According to Baseball Reference, in 2016 Otani had a 1.86 ERA and a 0.957 WHIP, in 21 games (20 of which he started.)  I feel like it’s safe to say that those numbers are not too bad.

At the same time, he had a slash line of .322/.416/.588 while hitting 22 homers.  Again, pretty solid numbers.

Like I said before, the Cubs are one of 30 teams in the mix for Otani.  I don’t care what you say; I like those odds, buddy.

Now the Otani contract situation is seemingly overcomplicated.  All you need to know is he’s coming to the majors this offseason, and in doing so, he’s forfeiting a lot of money he would’ve gotten in the 2018-19 offseason.

This is due to MLB’s impossible to understand International free agent rules.  I couldn’t even try to explain to you how they work, all I know is that they’re there and they’re complicated.

Back to the Cubs, what are the chances he could end up in Chicago?  I’m sorry to say this, but I think they’re extremely slim.

If Otani is meant to be both a pitcher and a hitter, wouldn’t he be better off as a DH on his non-pitching days?  Another reason why the NL should have a DH, but that’s a different story for a different day. The Cubs are also limited by the amount of international slot money they have to spend. Honestly, the Cubs have zero chance of getting Otani.

Twenty years from now, is Shohei Otani this generation’s Babe Ruth?  The cynic in me thinks that there’s no way he’s the next Babe Ruth.

I don’t know if this Otani experiment will even work.  Even a pitcher who can swing the bat such as Madison Bumgarner would be a sub-par everyday hitter.

I have so many questions about the whole thing.  What would the recovery times be like for Otani?  If he went to the NL would he be able to be an average outfielder?  How’s he going to adjust to the majors?

Shohei Otani will most likely be on a major league roster next season.  And I get that it’s a great story, I’m not trying to rain on your parade.

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But before we start proclaiming that he’s the next Babe Ruth, let’s see if he can transfer it to the big leagues.