A few lines written by Shohei Ohtani were tucked beneath a Dodgers emblem in the Instagram photo that went viral on Saturday afternoon. The much-awaited choice had been made by the two-way sensation, who decided to wear Dodger blue for the ensuing ten years.
With Ohtani’s record deal, which is estimated to be worth $700 million over the course of the next ten seasons, a few other strong suitors were forced to refocus their offseason plans. As recently as the Winter Meetings earlier this week, the Cubs felt they were still in the race for Ohtani.
Before leaving the Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer stated at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, “Sometimes people don’t want to go to Options B and C and D until A is gone.”
Ohtani was Option A, and the ballclub found itself in a type of holding pattern on several fronts as a result of the North Siders’ pursuit of him. The Cubs can now focus on those other alternatives as the two-time American League MVP has chosen his new cap for 2024 and beyond.
Let’s run through some contingency plans for the Cubs to consider.
Resigning Cody Bellinger is option B.
After an outstanding season that saw the centre fielder win the National League Comeback Player of the Year Award, Bellinger and the Cubs parted ways amicably. Indeed, when the celebrity accepted the award at the end of November, Hoyer and Bellinger texted one another.
Hoyer remarked, “Our relationship is good.” “He has only good things to say about the organisation, and we have nothing but good things to say about him.”
Following a season-long slump of injuries that limited him to.193 with a.611 OPS in 2021–22, Bellinger inked a $17.5 million, one-year contract with the Cubs last winter. After that, in 130 games, he hit.307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs, 29 doubles, 20 steals, 97 RBIs, and 95 runs.
Although Pipeline’s top Cubs prospect, centre fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, is waiting in the wings for the Cubs, Bellinger can shift between first base and centre field with ease. He performed a similar function for Chicago previous season, winning the NL’s Silver Slugger Award in the utility category.
Option C: Sign third baseman who is a free agent Matt Chapman
Last season, the Cubs rotated Nick Madrigal, Patrick Wisdom, and Jeimer Candelario at third base. While the youthful power threat Christopher Morel had limited play at the hot corner, he was primarily used as the designated hitter.
That DH position is once again wide open without Ohtani visiting Chicago, providing the Cubs freedom to continue depending on Morel there until he gains greater confidence on the field. With Candelario off the pitch due to a contract he signed with the Reds, the third platoon remains the same as it did in ’23.
Chapman, who comes in third, has won the Gold Glove Award four times. Imagine placing him there as the new full-time player, with Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson of the Gold Glovers on his left. Although the Cubs currently have one of the best defensive teams in baseball, Chapman would improve their ability to stop runs even more.
Chapman not only possesses exceptional defensive skills (54 Outs Above Average at Third over seven years, including a career-high 17 in ’21), but he also has the potential to be a powerful hitter. Over the course of the 2021–2023 season, the 30-year-old third baseman has averaged 24 home runs, 27 doubles, and 70 walks while hitting.226/.322/.420.
Option D: Direct funding into the pitching team
Although signing Ohtani would have required an enormous salary, the Cubs can now focus on the greatest uses of the team’s budget flexibility. The North Siders need bullpen reinforcements and assistance with rotation in addition to getting one or two impact bats.
Following the Ohtani announcement, perhaps the Cubs would be better suited to chase one of the Japanese pitchers, Shōta Imanaga or Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who both posted this offseason. The Cubs may also step up their trade negotiations for a right-hander like Tyler Glasnow of the Rays. Corbin Burnes of Milwaukee and Shane Bieber of Cleveland may be two more short-term trade candidates.
Following Marcus Stroman’s choice to choose free agency over a contract extension with the Cubs, Chicago found itself in need of signing at least one rotation player. The North Siders need some late-inning support in addition to depth in the bullpen. Lefty free-agent Considering Josh Hader’s past interactions with incoming Cubs manager Craig Counsell, he seems like a good fit.
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