Chicago Cubs must differentiate themselves in Shohei Ohtani talks

One of just seven teams left standing in the talks for Shohei Ohtani, the Chicago Cubs will no-doubt look to differentiate themselves in the next week.

As teams dropped like flies in their pursuit of Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, the Chicago Cubs advanced to the final round – along with six other Major League teams.

A clear preference for a west coast locale pervaded the final list. The Cubs joined the Texas Rangers as the only team not located west of the Rockies who will get a shot at the outfielder-pitcher. But, depending on how you look at it, that may help those two teams. Time will tell.

This will, in the end, come down to differentiators. All seven clubs have unique aspects they will use to try to lure Ohtani. Teams like the Cubs have a recent World Series in their pocket. Other teams, like the Seattle Mariners, will go a very different route in convincing Ohtani to join their roster.

So let’s take a look at each of these pitches. Of course, we’re guessing how these will play out. But, regardless, understanding what makes each of these teams appealing is key as the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes play out over the next couple weeks.

Los Angeles Dodgers inch closer to an elusive championship

2015 – 2017 Record: 287-199 (.590 winning percentage)

Short-Term Outlook:

The Dodgers represent one of the strongest top-to-bottom organizations in all of Major League Baseball. Even if they made no significant moves this offseason, they would likely still represent one of the top two or three teams in the NL.

Clayton Kershaw anchors the rotation with Kenley Jansen waiting in the ninth on a nightly basis. They, similar to the Cubs, will add bullpen pieces this winter, but their young core is enviable, to say the least.

Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger teamed up to win back-to-back Rookie of the Year honors in 2016 and 2017. Justin Turner decimated Chicago pitching in the NLCS and the lineup showed what they’re capable of in both the regular season and postseason.

Long-Term Outlook: 

Unlike the Cubs, the Dodgers have a very strong farm system – despite their recent run of success.  Los Angeles boasts a Top 10 minor league system with names like Willie Calhoun and Alex Verdugo headlining the list.

Biggest Differentiator:

This team is flat-out good. They’ve won the National League West every year since 2013 and were just one win away from winning it all last season. Dave Roberts is the man for the job in Southern California and 2018 will likely be more of the same for the Dodgers.

Could Ohtani be the face of the Padres?

2015 – 2017 Record: 213-273 (.438 winning percentage)

Short-Term Outlook:

The only club worse than the Padres in the National League West? Another team on this list – the San Francisco Giants. Of course, we’ve come to expect this type of campaign from the Friars while the Giants are perennial contenders for a division title.

San Diego ranked dead-last in the National League in OPS (.692) and 11th in earned run average (4.67). Wil Myers hit a career-high 30 home runs, but saw his batting average drop below .250. He also led the team in runs batted in; no Padres hitter managed more than 74 RBI.

Long-Term Outlook: 

Like the Dodgers, San Diego has a very strong minor league system. Outfielder Manny Margot represents one of the best talents in the game and given the Padres’ relative youth, the future is very bright. The team just inked A.J. Preller to an extension, so the belief is there. Now, they need a centerpiece to build around.

Biggest Differentiator:

For the last two seasons, Ohtani worked out at an Arizona complex shared by the Padres and Mariners. There are countless connections between the 23-year-old star and San Diego, which might make them the most logical destination. Familiarity could make this transition much smoother, allowing him to focus on baseball above all else.

San Francisco seeking big winter, more even-year magic

2015 – 2017 Record: 235-251 (.483 winning percentage)

Short-Term Outlook: 

It’s hard to legitimately peg what the short-term looks like for the Giants. Of course, they’ve got their core pieces in Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner. But the bullpen is a mess and the rotation outside of MadBum is shaky and inconsistent.

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A major portion of how the Giants shape up moving forward will come down to whether or not they land Giancarlo Stanton. The team is one of two current finalists in a potential trade with Miami – although the slugger has full no-trade protection.

Long-Term Outlook: 

Long-term, the Giants are shaky, as well. In fact, a franchise that fairly recently ran off three titles in five years seems to be losing momentum. Adding Stanton would answer one question, but I’m still not sold on the big picture. Bumgarner and Posey are about the only sure things you have. Oh, and their stuff lefty only has two years of control left.

Biggest Differentiator:

If San Francisco can add Stanton, it gives them a formidable injection of star power. Paired with Posey and Bumgarner, the club could have a few good runs and challenge the Dodgers in the west. And, of course, being on the West Coast surely doesn’t hurt anything.

Rangers looking to unseat the Astros in the Lone Star State

2015 – 2017 Record: 261-225 (.537 winning percentage)

Short-Term Outlook: 

On Monday night, the Rangers landed one of the top pitching free agents, inking Mike Minor to a multi-year deal. Of course, the club traded Yu Darvish to the Dodgers mid-year, leaving a hole in the rotation.

The offense is very well-balanced. Nomar Mazara followed up his fifth-place Rookie of the Year campaign with his first 100-RBI season in 2017. Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre give Texas a heavy-hitting left side of the infield and Joey Gallo mashed 41 long-balls. Adding pitching might be what puts the Rangers over the top moving forward – the club lost not only Darvish but also Andrew Cashner.

Pitching is key – and Ohtani might be the answer.

Long-Term Outlook:

On MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospect list, Texas features the likes of Leody Taveras (27) and Willie Calhoun (59). Gallo is clearly the team’s most talented young player. His swing-and-miss tendencies are troubling, but fit into the league’s larger epidemic.

Developing young pitching to go with their quality core of position players will be the make-or-break for the Rangers. Ohtani could be the face of the franchise – one opening a brand-new ballpark in the coming years.

Biggest Differentiator:

Texas helped Yu Darvish develop into one of the best pitchers in baseball. The resources are in place to do the same for Ohtani. Experience speaks for itself – it’s as simple as that.

Can Ohtani handle living in Ichiro’s shadow?

2015 – 2017 Record: 240-246 (.493 winning percentage)

Short-Term Outlook: 

A core built around Robinson Cano, Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz is an enviable one. Seattle scored the seventh-most runs in the American League last year while also ranking seventh in terms of OPS.

Chicago Cubs

Pitching-wise, James Paxton headlines the rotation. Injuries derailed the staff – including Felix Hernandez – last season. Edwin Diaz, the team’s young closer, emerged as one of the best in the league last season, closing out 34 games in his age-23 campaign.

Long-Term Outlook:

Kyle Lewis headlines this team’s prospect class. The outfielder is still not ready to impact the big-league team, but remains a significant part of the Mariners’ future. He’s also the team’s lone Top 100 representative. But the club has a number of young pitchers – so there’s still a lot to work with.

Biggest Differentiator:

The Asian-Pacific influence in the Northwest, especially Seattle, is very strong. The organization has a storied history working with international talent and adding his name to that long list of quality Pacific players might be an offer too good for Ohtani to refuse.

Chicago Cubs must capitalize on their current window

2015 – 2017 Record: 292-193 (.602 winning percentage)

Short-Term Outlook:

The next few years stand to be very exciting for the Cubs. The team’s core, centered around Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, is cost-controlled and have yet to hit their peak. Last season, Willson Contreras broke out as a real offensive threat behind the dish while Javier Baez and Albert Almora also put up impressive campaigns.

A big part of the team’s future will again be decided by the offseason. Forty percent of the rotation leaves via free agency, along with the team’s closer Wade Davis. Still, the rotation is anchored by the three-headed monster of Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester and Jose Quintana. There are far worse things to enter an offseason with than that trio.

Long-Term Outlook:

The farm system is depleted – badly. But with Theo Epstein running the baseball operations department, you simply cannot rule out big moves to keep a team competitive. The front office has shifted its focus to pitching – and in a few years, those arms will be making their way to Wrigley Field.

As noted, this core has several years of control left. The next half-decade or so will be solid on the North Side. This truly is the Golden Age for Cubs baseball.

Next: Do the Cubs have to pick between Harper and Ohtani?

Biggest Differentiator: 

Joe Maddon. The Cubs manager is one of the most forward-thinking skippers in all of Major League Baseball. In the National League, there’s likely no one better suited than Maddon to ensure a smooth transition to big-league life while also taking his needs and considerations into account.