Chicago Cubs still in on another Japanese superstar

The Chicago Cubs remain in the hunt for Shohei Ohtani and his potentially massive contract. Ohtani could play for any team he wants to, but only a few are left that are willing to pay the price that his market is dictating.

Ohtani is not the only free agent out there generating traction with teams. There is still a big-name pitcher available who is still on the market to sign with a Major League team. Japanese superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto has yet to make a decision on who he will sign with.

Yamamoto, who you may remember from helping Japan win the 2023 World Baseball Classic, is coming off of his third straight MVP year pitching for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan and is making the move to join Major League Baseball in 2024. A few teams on the east coast remain contenders to land his services but don’t sleep on the North Siders.

Don’t sleep on the  Chicago Cubs signing Yamamoto just yet.

What a world we are living in where the Cubs could sign both Ohtani and Yamamoto in one offseason. With Ohtani being a power bat to boost the offense in 2024 and Yamamoto enforcing the starting rotation, the Cubs could find themselves as a favorite to win it all. Then, getting Ohtani back to pitching in 2025 would only lengthen the window.

A forgotten part of this potential signing is what it would do to the Cubs in the trade market. Signing Ohtani and Yamamoto (pipe dream at this point, I know), would maybe make the Cubs a little more accepting to give up a young arm or two in the trade market to lure in a move for Pete Alonso or Juan Soto. Dream away, Cubs fans. For now.