“The Cubs are aiming for Ohtani” USA Today, the only non-Western team…why?
One more team is aiming for Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels.
Reporter Bob Nightingale of USA Today said on the 10th (Korean time), “The Chicago Cubs is the club that multiple major league officials choose as an ambush in the FA Ohtani scramble.” It was the only team with a connection outside the region. Whatever Ohtani wants, the Cubs have a lot of money to invest in him.”
According to Nightingale, an American League team official said, “The Cubs are a team that no one has ever talked about.” Let’s see if that happens. That’s my prediction.”
When Ohtani went through the posting process in December 2017, the seven finalists selected were the Angels, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, the San Francisco Giants, the Seattle Mariners, the Texas Rangers, and the Cubs.
Six of them, including the Angels and the Dodgers, belonged to the West Division, while the Cubs attracted attention as they were the only team in the National League Central Division, that is, outside of the West.
The Cubs are the original members of the National League, founded in 1876. It is considered a prestigious club in tradition and regained its old reputation by defeating the Cleveland Indians in 2016 and winning the World Series for the first time in 108 years since 1908. However, since 2019, it has failed to advance to the postseason every time except for 2020, which is a shortened season. This is a team that desperately needs reinforcements. The opening payroll this season is $179.17 million, which is 14th out of 30 clubs, which is in the middle. Now comes the prospect that it is time to spend money. 토토사이트
Investments have already begun. Last winter, they acquired shortstop Dansby Swanson for seven years and $177 million, and starter Jameson Tyyon for four years and $68 million. Swanson is the first time the Cubs have signed a contract worth more than $100 million in the free agent market since Yu Darvish (6 years, $126 million) in December 2017. This means Ohtani could be the target for the next offseason.
Reporter Nightingale said, ‘It’s an open secret that the Los Angeles Dodgers saved money last winter to sign Ohtani in free agency later this year. The Padres are daring to spend big bucks on a heavyweight, and Giants president Larry Bear knows that fans want superstars. Also, the Mariners are also mentioned when Ohtani runs to Ichiro Suzuki during the trip to Seattle and greets him.”
He added, “The New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies are also potential destinations if Ohtani changes his mind and wants to escape the West Zone.” This is a list of clubs that will participate in the Ohtani scramble. Added to this is the Cubs.