Chicago Cubs: Creating the requested Shohei Ohtani memo

CAA Sports, the agency that represents Shohei Ohtani, recently requested that all interested clubs answer seven specific questions ahead of his posting in coming weeks. How should the Chicago Cubs answer said questions?

Let’s just start this off in the clearest way possible. The Chicago Cubs, in all likelihood, won’t be adding Shohei Otani to their ranks before Christmas. That being said, Theo Epstein and his front office are notorious for leaving no stone unturned, so they’ll at least do their homework.

Otani, who turns 24 next July, represents one of the only two-way talents in the game today. He has played outfield in Japan and is one of the Nippon Ham Fighters’ best pitchers, as well. With Jake Arrieta and John Lackey hitting the open market themselves, Otani could be an option to fill a rotation void.

So, for argument’s sake, let’s try to answer some of these questions as if we sat in Epstein’s chair in the Cubs’ front office. Really, we have nothing to lose by trying. Shall we begin?