Latest Shohei Ohtani rumors don't look promising for the Cubs

Until Shohei Ohtani signs his next deal this offseason, Cubs fans will hold out hope for a miracle. But the latest rumors don't look promising for Chicago when it comes to their chances of landing the superstar. In fact, they aren't even mentioned by Ken Rosenthal in his latest report.

Rosenthal singles out the likes of the Mets, Giants, Rangers, Dodgers and Mariners - leaving out teams that had been speculatively linked to Ohtani in the past, including the Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs. If you've ever read my thoughts on Ohtani and the fit on the North Side, you already know I'm not shocked by this: this isn't an organization willing to drop a half-billion dollars on one player. End of story.

The Dodgers have been the favorite for a long time, or at least a team we thought would definitely be in the mix. I do not rule out the Mets. I cannot see Steve Cohen simply passing on Shohei Ohtani. And I would also include the Giants, the Rangers (yes, the Rangers) and the Mariners, as at least possibilities. I still think it comes down to L.A. vs New York, Dodgers vs the Mets. The Yankees? I don’t see them doing this.

I'd be shocked if Ohtani wound up anywhere other than Los Angeles. The Dodgers front office dipped back under the luxury tax threshold last winter, setting them up to go big this winter. The fit is perfect for Los Angeles and we already know that ownership group has no qualms with record-setting contracts.

Cubs are a long shot, at best, when it comes to Shohei Ohtani

The latest updates on Ohtani's injury: he won't pitch in 2024, but should be able to contribute at the plate as a DH. Obviously, his value comes from his two-way status, but he's a big-time bat - make no mistake. He led the league this year with a 184 OPS+ to go along with a .412 OBP, 44 home runs, 26 doubles and 20 stolen bases.

No one knows how the elbow surgery and his inability to pitch next season will impact his value on the open market. But there's still next to no chance the Cubs emerge as a realistic contender for his services, just as Rosenthal's latest report indicates.