Chicago Cubs Rumors: Shohei Ohtani continues to be prevailing name in rumor mill

Chicago Cubs fans need to be keeping a closer eye on the rumors linking the Cubs to superstar free agent Shohei Ohtani.

Yes, the Cubs were always going to be mentioned this winter as a potential suitor for Ohtani because a team like the Cubs has to be involved in the discussion. The feeling, though, was that the Cubs' interest in Ohtani may be of the due diligence variety considering the team has never shown an inclination toward signing the type of contract that Ohtani will command this winter.

To that end, what needs to be brought about the contract Ohtani will sign this off-season, likely in the $500MM range, is the money that he would instantly bring in upon his signing. Ohtani could never play a single game for the Cubs after signing the contract and it is still likely that the return on investment from the money that would flow from the international market would still make the deal worth it.

Of course, that is an exaggeration but speaks to the level of star power that Ohtani would bring to the Cubs' brand on not just a domestic scale. That is why we have local confirmation from Patrick Mooney of The Athletic (Subscription Required) that the Cubs will indeed be a part of the courtship of Ohtani this off-season.

There was confirmation on the national level as well as Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Cubs could be the team that Ohtani signs with if he does not wind up with either the Los Angeles Angels or Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ohtani was intrigued by the Cubs in 2017 but the lack of a designated hitter spot in the National League worked against the team during their first pitch to the superstar. With the National League now embracing the designated hitter's role and a Cubs' vision that resulted in the successful recruitment of shortstop Dansby Swanson last off-season and manager Craig Counsell this off-season, there is a scenario where Ohtani buys in.

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