Shohei Ohtani reportedly was never seriously considering signing with Chicago Cubs

Ohtani ignoring the Chicago Cubs makes you wonder who else is not taking their offers seriously.

The Cubs have been reportedly interested in signing Ohtani’s fellow countryman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The pitcher is considered the top available free agent on the market now that Shohei has signed.

You have to think he might spurn the Cubs much like Ohtani did. Although the Cubs are reportedly not going to get into a bidding war.

It looks like the Dodgers are trying to build a super team as they are also reportedly being aggressive in their pursuit of free-agent closer Josh Hader. He has been tied to the Cubs based on his days closing for manager Craig Counsell when they were together in Milwaukee.

You just have to consider that maybe the Cubs are not the free-agent destination like many have thought when the offseason started. Well, maybe it is more like free agents prefer the Dodgers since they have never taken a step back in the standings.

They have an ownership group committed not only to having a great farm system to keep the club replenished with young talent but also willing to spend to fill whatever roster hole the farm system cannot plug.

The Dodgers also have an ownership group that is not going to cite losses of biblical proportions as a reason to not spend the necessary dollars to compete for October success.

That does not mean all hope should be lost on the Northside.

The Cubs watched last year’s superstar shortstop market nearly pass them by before they signed Dansby Swanson. That signing has worked out just fine. Chicago Cubs fans just want another deal like that to make sure this club can guarantee itself improving in the standings.