One overlooked factor when it comes to Shohei Ohtani not signing with the Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are in the thick of the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes.

Ohtani is the best free agent to hit the market since Bryce Harper and Manny Machado both were free agents a couple of offseasons ago.

The Cubs did not sign Harper despite his ties to Kris Bryant at the time. Plus, the club did not really pursue bringing him in.

The difference this time around is Ohtani comes with not only a superstar bat but also a dominant pitching arm–once it is healthy. Plus, he is a bigger box office draw.

Imagine combining the draw that is Wrigley Field with the traveling draw that the Cubs are along with having Ohtani. Good luck getting a ticket.

The problem for the Cubs in this bidding war is they play in Chicago. The feeling around the league is Ohtani is going to want to stay in Los Angeles only he will sign with the Dodgers.

That does not mean the Chicago Cubs are dead in the water because of geographic location. The Cubs can feature fellow countryman Yu Darvish loving his time in Chicago. Seiya Suzuki currently likes playing on the Northside too.

There is another factor to consider of him not signing with the Cubs or even the Dodgers.

That factor to consider is Ohtani could decide to stay with the Los Angeles Angels.

There is speculation that Shohei wants to win and that is why a return to the Angels has never been considered.

Comfort is one thing being massively overlooked. Ohtani was comfortable being the superstar of the Angels. The owner was so devoted to Shohei that he refused to trade him at the deadline.

Instead, the Angels made a foolhardy attempt at the deadline to load up on players to make a push for a playoff spot. Injuries derailed that, especially Ohtani getting hurt.

Still, it was a sign that the only MLB team Ohtani has ever known will try whatever it can to be competitive.