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

By Nicholas D. Blazek

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)
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) /
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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)
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.

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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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