Top MLB Insider Dives Into Shohei Ohtani’s Free Agency, Credits Dark Horse Team in $500M Race

When Lebron James chose the Miami Heat in 2010, few thought that craze would ever get repeated. But it seems Shohei Ohtani is ready to change those thoughts. The baseball’s unicorn has rocked the sports world. Everyone wants to know, where will Ohtani land this offseason. The two-time MVP has been awfully quiet but has made one thing clear – ‘He wants to win’. So, the question arises: which team is in the best position to win?

Well, according to a well-respected insider, there might be a surprise in store for all those who are currently wondering the same. While everyone looks at big links, “Shotime” might end up going with someone few expected.

Chicago Cubs could be the dark horse in the race for Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani being comfortable in Anaheim raised beliefs that he might stay on the West Coast. But at least one expert thinks that this might not be the case with Ohtani preferring to go for a team that wins. Popular sportswriter Jon Morosi said the following in a recent interview. “…It’s a different landscape. I think it’s about Shohei going to the team with the best culture, best chance to win. Obviously, the money’s going to be there. But I don’t think Shohei has the same geographic restrictions that he once did. I think it’s a much more open-minded approach to all destinations, and he’s looking very carefully at the quality of the roster.” 

“He’s not going to sign with the West Coast team to sign with a West Coast team. He has not yet played in the Major League Baseball playoffs, and so I really believe that he’s going to sign with a team – that certainly offers him a bunch of money… but I really think the deciding factor is going to be much more about team quality than ballpark location. So, to that extent, think the Cubs have a chance at him.”

Chicago Cubs is rebuilding itself to go back to their glory days in the 2010s. Though they are still not there, the future looks bright for them. Their team atmosphere certainly instills growth. The chief example is their center fielder Cody Bellinger and his comeback, which was certainly bolstered by the good support from them.

Read more: A Cursed or Blessed Dichotomy? Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout’s ‘Championship-Less’ MVP Heritage

Certainly, North siders could be quite a risky move. They certainly do not spend like the New York teams but they have a blueprint for success that they’re following. Still, if Ohtani were to go there, why would he?

Why Cubs seem like a good fit for Ohtani?

Per Bleacher Report, the Cubs’ farm system is ranked 2nd among the total 3o teams in MLB. In the previous rankings of the same org, Chicago ranked 5; however, now the team has climbed the ladder. With such a nice array of talent at their disposal, Ohtani may prove to be what they need to make the final step. For Ohtani too, he’d certainly love to hit a home run exactly where Babe Ruth hit one in the 1932 World Series. The team has a passionate fan base, and his friend and countryman, Seiya Suzuki in it as well. This could be a match made in heaven for the Japanese superstar.

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