A lot can change from now until the start of free agency in November, but right now it does seem like Shohei Ohtani will enter the free agent market and Seiya Suzuki is ready to recruit him to the Cubs.
This has to be one of the most anticipated free agents in history and it speaks to Ohtani living up to the hype. We are talking about a modern-day Babe Ruth. A great pitcher, a great hitter and now entering his walk year with the Los Angeles Angels, all eyes are on Ohtani, who could eventually sign the largest contract in MLB history.
Suzuki was asked about Ohtani this week at spring training and he wasn't shy about his intentions when talking with his fellow countryman.
The two Japanese players will be playing together in this year's World Baseball Classic.
Will the Cubs actually go after Ohtani in free agency? You would hope so. What team wouldn't want one of the best players in baseball. But again, it is going to take a humongous deal to sign Ohtani and there's also the winning part, too. The Cubs have to prove that on the field and with the checkbook.
Ohtani made his MLB debut with the Angels in 2018, and through five seasons they have failed to reach the postseason. It's worse than that, though, as the Angels have finished every year below .500 with Ohtani, and the team's best record with the Japanese star came during his rookie year in 2018, when they finished 80-82.
The Angels haven't had a winning season since 2015, and the last time they made it to the playoffs was in 2014, their only postseason berth in the last 13 years.
There are several different factors that go into the final decision for free agents and that's no different with Ohtani. It could be a combination of things, but there already is some history between him and the Cubs. Back when Ohtani was deciding where he was going to sign, the Cubs were one of the finalists.
We'll see how good Suzuki's recruiting skills are. Maybe Seiya will take some lessons from Nick Madrigal.
And I'm sure if the Cubs actually offer Ohtani a massive amount of money, that might help the recruiting process as well next offseason.
