The market for Shohei Ohtani includes just about every MLB team.
Ohtani, 23, is believed to prefer to sign with a team that will allow him to pitch and play outfield on his non pitching days. The Mariners have already been linked to Ohtani and allow him to pitch and be an everyday player but apparently the Cubs are interested in this situation as well according to NBC Sports’ David Kaplan.
The Cubs still appear to have a lengthy window of competing which may also excite the Japanese star. The Rangers can offer him the most money as a signing bonus, followed by the Yankees and Mariners but considering Ohtani is giving up millions by coming to the United States now that dollar amount may be only be a secondary factor to his desire to play everyday and pitch.
The Cubs have spent significant money on scouting Ohtani sending scouts to Japan for weeks at time where they watched him play outfield and pitch. Much like the Dodgers who also are believed to be on the shortlist of teams that realistically have a shot to sign Ohtani, the Cubs can only offer him a $300,000 signing bonus.
Whatever Ohtani leaves on the table in his contract will likely be make up and then some via endorsements that could reach up to $30 million.
