Insane Shohei Ohtani fact makes the Cubs' failed pursuit more painful than ever

Shohei Ohtani had arguably the greatest playoff performance ever last Friday when the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated the Chicago Cubs' division rival, the Milwaukee Brewers, in Game 4 of the NLCS. Ohtani was not only the starting pitcher for the Dodgers, striking out 10 across 6 shutout innings, but had a three-home-run effort at the plate.

As if there was any reminder needed, Ohtani's efforts in Game 4 of the NLCS only proved why there was such a fascination with his free agent status two years ago. Along those lines, many view Ohtani's 10-year, $700MM deal as what completed the heel turn for the Dodgers. It wasn't just the fact that the All-Star-rich Dodgers added Ohtani; it was how they did it. Ohtani's deal is loaded with deferrals, which significantly lowers the present-day value of his contract.

Of course, Ohtani's free agency also confirmed a shift in philosophy for the Cubs. While the Cubs gave the charade that they were involved in the sweepstakes, and they are believed to have had a meeting with Ohtani's camp during his free agency, there was never an impression that the Cubs were going to be the top bidder.

Cubs’ Shohei Ohtani miss looks even worse after seeing this stat

Since the contention window has been open under Jed Hoyer, swimming at the top of the free-agent market has been the one thing the front office has avoided. It's not for lack of worthy free agents--Ohtani and Juan Soto were at the top of the last two free-agent classes--but it's because of the lack of value in making those deals. While there is a case that could be made for that when it comes to Soto, a lack of value was never going to be the case with Ohtani, considering the impact it would have had on merchandising, ticketing, and the global market.

It was inevitable that the Dodgers would make the money they spent on Ohtani back, and former ESPN journalist Joon Lee confirms that already is the case.

As he is on the field, Ohtani was the exception when it comes to how long-term contracts would age. It's sour grapes now, and perhaps it was always going to be the Dodgers in the end, but it's a lesson the Cubs need to learn--especially if there is going to be another unicorn in free agency during the years ahead.