New Ohtani Report Puts Chicago Cubs Back Into Mix

As long as the best player in baseball, Shohei Ohtani, is a free agent, there will be constant speculation about where he plays baseball in 2024.

Elbow surgery will prevent him from pitching next year but he'll still be able to hit as the designated hitter and will be one of the best sluggers in the game.

That's why the Chicago Cubs have been linked to the Japanese phenom.

The front office has not been quiet about wanting to add more power bats to their lineup, which is why they would love to re-sign Cody Bellinger in free agency.

Ohtani is a better player than Bellinger though, and adding him to this roster would create excitement and buzz around the city that hasn't been seen for years.

Originally, based on the projected contracts that were floated, it seemed like the Cubs were out of the running to sign the phenom.

Jed Hoyer has made it clear that they don't believe in handing out massive, long-term contracts that was rumored Ohtani would receive this offseason.

However, one report from ESPN's Alden Gonzalez changed the entire outlook for Chicago.

"But people familiar with Ohtani's thinking believe he might be open to a short-term deal with an exceedingly high average annual value, a circumstance that would open up a host of suitors this offseason," he wrote.

That would put the Cubs right back into the mix.

Chicago's ownership is not afraid to spend money, especially knowing what return they could get in one of the biggest markets in the United States.

Their hesitation is about the length of the deal, not the size.

So, if Ohtani is truly open to a short-term contract so that he can hit free agency again before his career is over, then the Cubs have a real shot to win the biggest sweepstakes the MLB has ever seen.