Chicago Cubs: Would landing Shohei Ohtani stop pursuit of Bryce Harper?

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LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 01: Major League Baseball player Bryce Harper speaks on stage at the Vegas Strong Benefit Concert at T-Mobile Arena to support victims of the October 1 tragedy on the Las Vegas Strip on December 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Often times, we get so wrapped up in the current situation, we fail to look at the future. For the Chicago Cubs, a chance to sign Shohei Ohtani is within their reach. But if they do it, could this prevent them from pursuing Bryce Harper next year?

The Chicago Cubs are one of the seven teams left in the running for Shohei Ohtani. The Angels, Rangers, Dodgers, Giants, Mariners, Padres and Cubs. After the Yankees – the initial frontrunner – were reportedly told they were out because they were a large market. I don’t want to poke the bear or anything, but I’m pretty sure Chicago (supports two professional baseball teams) is a large market. Just saying.

But that aside, if the Cubs pitch to Ohtani in person is good enough to land the Japanese superstar? Those who were told they were crazy because they weren’t the Yankees will have some redemption.

Now, this post isn’t to get into who or what Ohtani could mean to the Cubs next season. Will he pitch? Will he hit? Maybe he’s going to do both. If the Cubs land Ohtani, could it affect their pursuit of free agent Bryce Harper after next season?

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 17: Chicago Cubs third baseman and Major League Baseball 2015 National League Rookie of the Year Kris Bryant (L) and Washington Nationals right fielder and MLB 2015 National League Most Valuable Player Bryce Harper hold ceremonial keys to the city of Las Vegas they received from Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman at the Fremont Street Experience on December 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both players grew up playing against and with each other in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Let me tell you ’bout my best friend

There’s no denying the friendship between Harper and Kris Bryant. They’re both from Las Vegas, so that’s to be expected. But we can’t help but notice that Harper seems to really like Chicago. He named his dog Wrigley for crying out loud.

That makes perfect sense for me (although I named mine Skylar for my love of the Irish. My cat was named Addison), but really? I guess you can’t name your dog Nationals Park, so I give him some leeway on that.

But now to the skinny of it. If the Cubs score Ohtani, will that change how they go after Harper? First off, the Cubs have never said they would chase him in free agency. But it just seems to write itself with everything that’s happened. Even if Harper doesn’t plan on coming to Chicago, that would just mean he’s trolling Cubs’ fans … and hard.

TOKYO, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 19: Starting pitcher Shohei Otani #16 of Japan reacts after the top of seventh inning during the WBSC Premier 12 semi final match between South Korea and Japan at the Tokyo Dome on November 19, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images) /

An interesting situation unfolding before our eyes

Shohei Ohtani’s situation is a bit odd, but it doesn’t mean he isn’t going to get paid, at least soon. This season, he would have to sign a minor-league deal. But that doesn’t mean he couldn’t sign an extension, as long as it wasn’t discussed previously.

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Tim Dierkes laid it out pretty well over at MLBTR. So Ohtani might have passed on the big money by not waiting until he was a true free agent. But he would have needed to have an exceptional run in the NPB to be the equivalent to what he could do in the majors over the next two seasons.

Quick extension

So, assuming the Cubs land him, they could sign him to an extension in the next few months. As long as it doesn’t set off any bells with the MLB and the CBA, he could be in line for roughly $20-25 million in the spring.

So you’ll have Jason Heyward‘s deal as well as Jon Lester‘s contract. Then add this one to the bunch – with likely more to come if Ohtani turns out to be everything we hope – and the Cubs would have a lot of money tied up. And contrary to what some fans think, the Cubs have money. But not an unlimited amount of it. And in 2020 or so, they’ll need to start making decisions on what to do with all the young talent on the team.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 12: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals reacts after hitting a sacrifice fly against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning in game five of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs will face very difficult decisions soon

Could the Cubs conceivably sign Ohtani and still have the resources to go after Harper? The Cubs will look to have their own television network soon, as well as the revenue provided by the jumbotrons and properties surrounding Wrigleyville. The money will be there, but how thin will the Cubs want to spread it? In Harper and Ohtani, as well as Bryant and Anthony Rizzo (the “old man”), the Cubs would have a formidable lineup.

It’s all hypothetical from here. But if the Cubs were to sign Ohtani and then Harper, someone will have to go. The outfield would consist of Albert Almora, Kyle Schwarber, Heyward, Ohtani and Harper. Unless Schwarber starts catching again, that’s five guys for four spots. Add to the fact you’ve got Ian Happ, but by then Ben Zobrist would be gone and he could become the second baseman. The Cubs have plenty of talent around the diamond, but more never hurt anyone.

Next: Is Maples poised for a breakout in 2018?

The Cubs are in the running for Ohtani but nothing is promised. And Harper could be a pipe dream, but so was Ohtani, to be honest. Lots of things could, and likely would change with the makeup of this team.

But outside of Mike Trout, Harper might be one of the only guys I would say to go for even at that price. You would have one of the best teams in baseball with multiple under-30 players. Cubs are all-in this year for Ohtani. They might be all-in for Harper next year.

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