It’s completely unknown how far the Cubs went in talks with Ohtani, if at all. Ohtani’s camp did a tremendous job keeping his free agency preferences under wraps.

Still, a $700 million contract is a tough deal to offer for any franchise. Here’s a look at the most money the Cubs have plunked down for a player.

Largest contracts in Cubs history by total value

1. Jason Heyward: $184 million (eight years)

2. Dansby Swanson: $177 million (seven years)

3. Jon Lester: $155 million (six years)

4. Alfonso Soriano: $136 million (eight years)

5. Yu Darvish: $126 million (six years)

6. Seiya Suzuki: $99.6 million* (five years)

7. Carlos Zambrano: $91.5 million (five-year extension)

*Suzuki’s contract will pay him $85 million. His deal is worth $99.6 million total when including the posting fee that the Cubs paid his NPB club in Japan.

Others include:

— Aramis Ramirez: Five-year, $75 million extension in 2006

— Sammy Sosa: Four-year, $72 million extension in 2001

— Marcus Stroman: Three-year, $71 million free agent deal

— Jameson Taillon: Four-year, $68 million free agent deal

Largest average annual salaries in Cubs history

1. Jon Lester: $25.8 million

2. Dansby Swanson: $25.3 million

3. Marcus Stroman: $23.7 million

4. Jason Heyward: $23 million

5. Yu Darvish: $21 million

6. Kris Bryant* $19.5 million

7. Kris Bryant** $18.6 million

8. Carlos Zambrano: $18.3 million

9. Sammy Sosa: $18 million (extension signed in 2001)

*Bryant and the Cubs came to terms to avoid arbitration entering the 2021 season.

**Bryant and the Cubs came to terms to avoid arbitration entering the 2020 season. However, MLB salaries were ultimately prorated in the shortened 60-game campaign.

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Ohtani, who signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers on Saturday, won’t have to move far to play for his new club after spending the first six years of his career with the Los Angeles Angels.

Next season, the Dodgers will kick off their season in South Korea against the Padres, but then they’ll head home for seven games against the Cardinals and Giants.

Their first true road series of the season will start on April 5, when Ohtani and the Dodgers will visit Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs.

According to Baseball Reference, Wrigley Field is one of two MLB ballparks where Ohtani has yet to play in his MLB career, with the other being Pittsburgh’s PNC Park.

In three games against the Cubs, Ohtani is 3-for-11 with one home run and one RBI. He has a career .429 on-base percentage against the North Siders.

Ohtani won’t be pitching for the Dodgers during that early-season series, as he’ll be off the mound throughout 2024 after undergoing surgery on his pitching elbow.

Fans who miss Ohtani at the Friendly Confines will also get a chance to see him on Chicago’s South Side when the Dodgers take on the White Sox June 24-26.

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The Cubs, who had reportedly been involved in the Ohtani sweepstakes, now must shift their focus elsewhere, with plenty of needs and an open checkbook as free agency continues.

In all likelihood, the team will target starting pitching help after the departure of Marcus Stroman, but they’ll also need to address concerns in their corner infield spots and in center field, among other needs.

Here are some of the players the Cubs could potentially seek out as the Ohtani sweepstakes ends.

Cody Bellinger

Contrary to the rest of the blue-chip free agents, the Cubs and Bellinger have a pre-existing relationship. His agent, Scott Boras, has repeatedly said that Bellinger would be open to returning to the Cubs, but that he would also explore all other options too.

“Our platform is Cody’s let us know that he’s listening to everyone involved, and there are no exclusions,” Boras told the media at the MLB Winter Meetings.

Bellinger rejuvenated his career with the Cubs last season, hitting .307 with 26 home runs and 97 runs driven in. He was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year, and was instrumental in the team increasing their win total to 83.

The Yankees were expected to be heavy favorites on Bellinger, but now that they traded for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo, Bellinger likely isn’t on their radar any more.

Bellinger also offers flexibility, as he is able to play center field and first base as a plus-defender in addition to his left-handed power at the plate.

Should the Cubs be inclined to call up youngster Pete Crow-Armstrong permanently, the Cubs could easily stick Bellinger at first. Not to mention, Christopher Morel offers a solid plug in the outfield if needed.

Matt Chapman

The Cubs churned through third basemen frequently last season, with everyone from Nick Madrigal to Patrick Wisdom to Miles Mastrobuoni seeing time at the hot corner.

Now, there’s really only one good option at third base left on the market, as Matt Chapman remains unsigned.

There are some concerns with how he finished the 2023 season after a strong start at the plate, but he’s proven to be durable, averaging nearly 150 games per season, and he is also a plus-defender, giving the Cubs even more quality defense on an infield that already includes Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson.

Tyler Glasnow

The Cubs have been circling a Tyler Glasnow trade throughout the offseason, but their efforts could step up now that Ohtani has signed.

The Cubs are undoubtedly looking to solidify their rotation, thanks to the departure of Stroman and the struggle of Hayden Wesneski to nail down a spot in that mix.

Glasnow is a tremendous strikeout threat, with 162 strikeouts in 120 innings last season, but he’s also slated to make $25 million this season, is set to become a free agent at the end of 2024, and has had some durability concerns in his career.

Rhys Hoskins

Hoskins isn’t at the same level as the preceding three players, but he would be a play to help close the gap at first base with flexibility at the designated hitter spot.

Remember, Matt Mervis will likely compete for some playing time at first base, too.

After missing the entirety of the 2023 season with a knee injury, it’s uncertain what type of contract Hoskins is looking for. Jon Morosi did report, however, that the Cubs and Hoskins have been in touch about a one-year or multi-year deal.

Hoskins spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit 30 home runs and drove in 79 RBIs during the 2022 season, appearing in 156 games. He slashed .246/.332/.462, roughly in line with his career averages in all three categories.

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Ohtani made the announcement on his Instagram page Saturday, apologizing for the amount of time it took to reach his decision while expressing his excitement to join the Dodgers.

“I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team,” he said. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved with the Angels’ organization and the fans who have supported me over the past six years.”

Ohtani, arguably the most sought after free agent in baseball history, had also been pursued by numerous other clubs, including the Toronto Blue Jays and the Chicago Cubs, among others.

According to multiple reports, Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers will be by far the richest in baseball history, as he has signed a 10-year deal worth a total of $700 million.

The contract reportedly includes deferrals to help lower his luxury tax impact and to allow the Dodgers more cash-on-hand to add pieces around Ohtani, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and others.

According to multiple reports, there are no opt-outs in Ohtani’s deal.

We will update this story with additional details as they become available.

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On Friday, Jon Morosi reported the two-way superstar was “en route” to Toronto. He specified Ohtani has not agreed to a deal with any major league team but would be traveling to Canada.

Shortly thereafter, national MLB reporters Bob Nightengale and Jon Heyman took to debunking Morosi’s report. Both reported Ohtani was currently on the other side of North America at his home in Southern California.

That spiraled into a riveting and entertaining series of Tweets (X) from people confirming where Ohtani *isn’t* to mock national reporters failing on several occasions to successfully report details on Ohtani’s free agency.

Here are some funny ones:

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National writers and pundits have been duking out new — and sometimes contradictory — reports on Ohtani’s meetings … and whereabouts?

Here’s what we know so far:

According to Jon Morosi — one of the more prominent voices in the Ohtani sweepstakes —, a decision on the Japanese star’s end is expected imminently. Morosi wasn’t specific about the timing of the decision but didn’t rule out the possibility of it coming Friday.

Who are the finalists for Ohtani?

That’s the question everyone’s been wondering. Bob Nightengale reported the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays as expected finalists. He mentioned the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels are “hopeful.”

Nightengale also reported the Cubs’ optimism had “significantly waned” for obtaining Ohtani. Although, that report didn’t sit well with Cubs President Jed Hoyer.

“I don’t know where that came from. There’s nothing to report whatsoever,” Hoyer said at the Winter Meetings.

Like Nightengale, Morosi is steadfast on the Blue Jays being finalists. Ben Nicholson-Smith from Sportsnet also reported the Canadian team is a finalist in Ohtani’s decision.

That stumbled into a knee-slapping report on Friday: his whereabouts.

Morosi reported Ohtani was “en route” to Toronto, but has not yet agreed to a deal with any major league team. That left the majority to believe he would sign there anyway, as the Blue Jays have been reported as strong favorites.

Hilariously, Nightengale threw water on the report, saying Ohtani is currently on the other side of North America at his residence in Southern California, not on his way to Toronto. The NY Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed Nightengale’s report of Ohtani’s coordinates.

Boy, this is getting crazy.

This is all to say … who knows? Are the Cubs in? Are they out?

No one seems to know what the two-way superstar is thinking. Ohtani’s camp has done a phenomenal job keeping his decisions and preferences under wraps since the stove began to heat up.

But there don’t appear to be many positive signs about Ohtani coming to the North Side. But that doesn’t mean Cubs fans should tune out this offseason. Surely, the Cubs will be aggressive in landing some blue-chip free agents if they come away without No. 17.

The question is — how will they respond once Ohtani chooses his next destination?

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This time, he’s going in with a lot more gravitas. Last offseason, Bellinger was looking for somewhere he could rejuvenate his career. After winning MVP in 2019 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he recorded three straight lackadaisical seasons.

But he found his bounce-back home on the North Side with the Chicago Cubs in 2023. They gifted him a one-year “prove it” deal worth $17.5 million. And, boy, did he prove it. He earned a Silver Slugger and top-ten MVP votes behind a .307 batting average, .881 OPS, 26 home runs and 97 RBIs.

Now, he’s caught the eyes of several suitors for the next chapter of his career, including two former destinations in the Cubs and Dodgers. Would he be interested in reuniting with either club, even the one that cut him loose during his darkest hour?

“Our platform is Cody’s let us know that he’s listening to everyone involved, and there are no exclusions,” Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, told the media at the MLB Winter Meetings.

Bellinger went through serious adversity while playing his final years in Los Angeles. He battled a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery in 2021. And he went through a slew of mechanic adjustments to try and revamp his swing and regain MVP form.

In 144 healthy games in 2022, he failed to produce up to standard. He hit .210 from the plate, despite knocking 19 balls out of the park and driving in 68 runs. He finished with an OPS+ of 81.

With the Cubs, he completely turned things around, showing he hasn’t lost his 2019 form. He provided the most power in the Cubs’ lineup and launched them into the playoff conversation. For that, he’s poised to earn a solid payday this offseason. The question is — who is motivated enough to ink him?

The Yankees, who were once considered among the heavy favorites to sign Bellinger, are on the brink of trading for Padres outfielder Juan Soto. Logically, a trade for Soto would push them out of the conversation for Bellinger, considering they would field an outfield of Soto, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

That brings us back to the Cubs and Dodgers, along with the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays as potential suitors. Remember: all of those teams are in on Shohei Ohtani. The general silence around the Winter Meetings logically suggests Ohtani’s move will dictate the rest of the market and the aforementioned’s collective interest in Bellinger.

If the Cubs come away Ohtani-less on the other side, it would make sense for them to be in on re-signing Bellinger back to the squad. And Boras reminded us just how rare Bellinger’s season was last season, as he makes a solid consolation prize without Ohtani.

“How many people have hard contact rates, that play center field, and do what they do with two strikes and low strike-out levels? And then you’re going to find out ‘Wow that’s a very small group of only about 2 or 3 people,'” Boras said.

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“Yoshinobu Yamamoto has generated so much interest from both New York teams and other big-market franchises that the Cubs are not expected to proceed in those high-stakes negotiations,” Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma wrote.

According to Jim Bowden, Yamamoto’s deal is expected to reach somewhere around $300 million. That deal would place him in the realm of being one of the highest-paid pitchers in all of baseball.

It was once reported the Cubs were among the favorites to land the right-hander. But as the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes drag on, teams are seemingly starting to move onto other free agents. Yamamoto’s contract could be viewed as a daunting path to take, too. He’s never pitched in MLB.

Yamamoto, 25, is one of the hottest commodities on the MLB free agency market this offseason. He’s pitched in Japan on the Forgein level and in the Nippon Professional Baseball league. All-encompassed, he holds a 1.72 ERA over nearly 1,000 innings pitched.

He turned heads during the World Baseball Classic, proving to be one of the best pitchers in the tournament. With tournament champion Team Japan, he pitched 7.1 innings and held a 2.45 ERA. He struck out 12 batters and allowed a blistering .160 batting average to his opponents, putting himself among the league’s best.

The Cubs have been attached to several starting pitchers this offseason. And for good reason. They finished 14th in MLB last season for pitching staff ERA. They’re also seemingly losing Marcus Stroman, who finished with a 3.95 ERA, from their rotation, too.

Counsell & Co. are currently left with Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad.

Of course, they’re in on the Ohtani sweepstakes. From the report, it seems the Cubs are still interested in trading for Glasnow, without the inclusion of Christopher Morel in a hypothetical trade. They also have Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga “on their radar,” according to Mooney and Sharma.

But, to give a pitcher who’s never pitched in the major leagues $300 million screams buyers beware. The Cubs have priorities. But their disinterest in Yamamoto begs the question — what will they do in an Ohtani-less world?

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Those rumors were quickly debunked. Newly minted Cubs manager Craig Counsell took to defending Morel’s production following the rumors.

“He’s put himself in a position where he needs to be in the lineup,” Counsell said at the Winter Meetings. “He needs to be on the field. That’s a good thing. Now, where? That’s what we have to figure out.

“I think to sit here on Dec. 3 and say we’ve gotta have it figured out? Or, that he might be a versatile piece? Like, yeah. I think he’s earned his way into a lineup there’s no question about that.”

Morel, 24, acted as one of the team’s main sources of power last season. He hit 26 home runs in just 388 at-bats last season. Behind Seiya Suzuki, Morel led the team in OPS last season (.821).

If the team parted ways with Morel, they’d have a considerable gap to close in terms of power. Cody Bellinger is also a free agent this offseason. He hit 26 home runs and knocked in 97 runs with the Cubs last season.

Trading Morel for Glasnow would force the Cubs to bet solely on the latter’s health. Glasnow pitched the most innings he’s ever thrown in a single season last year, topping out at a lowly 120 frames. When he’s healthy, he’s impeccable. He struck out 162 batters in those 120 innings last season. But again, health is a concern.

What’s more, the Cubs have Morel under club control for a whopping five seasons to come. To throw that all away for Glasnow, who is slated to make $25 million in 2024 before becoming a free agent the next offseason, doesn’t seem like a strong decision for the Cubs.

The only part the Cubs need to figure out about Morel, as Counsell noticed, is where to place him on defense. The Cubs will likely come out of the MLB offseason with some strong, new players. That’s where maneuvering Morel into the lineup will face its greatest challenge.

But Counsell notes players like Morel are invaluable to a major league roster, nonetheless.

“The players that have defensive versatility are incredibly valuable players.”

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According to Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, catcher Victor Caratini has signed a deal with the Houston Astros.

Caratini, 30, debuted with the Cubs back in 2017 and spent parts of four seasons with the North Siders.

While showing the ability to hit for some power and hold his own at the plate, Caratini has primarily served as a backup catcher in his career, initially to Willson Contreras in Chicago before going on to back up his younger brother William in Milwaukee.

The exception was Caratini’s lone year in San Diego in 2021, when he played a career-high 116 games with the Padres, slashing .227/.309/.323 with just 16 extra-base hits.

Caratini looks to continue to be a backup in Houston, backing up Yainer Diaz and perhaps marking the end of a long partnership between the Astros and fellow Puerto Rican backstop Martin Maldonado.

The terms of Caratini’s contract with the Astros are currently unknown.

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Later this week, those wanting to see the reimagined Wrigley Field can get a visit inside for free, thanks to a promotional code offered by Wintrust.

By entering GIFT23 at the link here, you can access free tickets for Wrigley Field’s Winterland on Dec. 7 or Dec. 8, giving Chicagoans a great opportunity to get their weekend started in the most festive of ways.

The tickets are good for admission throughout the day, with “The Grinch” being played on the Winterland’s big screens at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

On Friday, visitors can take in some live music at the lounge from 6-8 p.m. to wind down.

Winterland will remain open until Jan. 7, with plenty of holiday events scheduled for each day.

More information on Winterland at Gallagher Way can be found here.

Some reports showed the Cubs “balked” at the $500 million price tag Ohtani comes with in free agency. Others suggest their optimism to land the Japanese star has “significantly waned.”

Insider Jon Heyman affirmed the Cubs haven’t heard “No” from Ohtani’s camp. But, for good measures, he reported a de facto Plan B for the Cubs in the event they miss out on Ohtani.

Additional reports suggest in a non-Ohtani world the Cubs could be in on Japanese pitching star Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Pete Alonso is another name that’s been attached to the Cubs since the start of the offseason.

Jesse Rogers reported he wouldn’t rule out a star outfielder from the Cubs if they miss on Ohtani, either.

“I wouldn’t completely discount [Juan] Soto, I put him back in the mix … if the Cubs strike out on Ohtani,” Rogers said on ESPN 1000.

The Cubs could look to address their opening at first base with Hoskins, who was seemingly outed by the Phillies when they announced Bryce Harper would play there on defense.

Hoskins spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Phillies. He hit 30 home runs and drove in 79 RBI’s during the 2022 season, appearing in 156 games. He slashed .246/.332/.462, roughly in line with his career averages in all three categories.

Third base has long been a need for the Cubs. Nick Madrigal proved surprisingly helpful in most games at the corner. But Chapman would make for a more concrete solution at the position.

He’s a wall at the position, recording 12 defensive runs saved at the position there last season. He hit 17 home runs and finished with a .755 OPS last season, too. He’s exceptionally durable, too, averaging 148 games per season over the last three years.

Obviously, Bellinger shifted the trajectory of his career with the Cubs on a one-year “prove it” deal with the Cubs last season. The Cubs grew fond of Bellinger following his 26 home run and 97 RBI season last season.

But the Cubs could be motivated to rely on Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field, should they feel the youngster is ready for the major leagues in a full-time role.

Either way, the Cubs are proving to be aggressive this offseason. Who will they land this winter?

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But he’s quickly showing he’s in this thing for the long run.

“We’re at the start of a journey, man. Together,” Counsell said on MLB Network at the Winter Meetings. “… It’s been fun getting to know [Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Ian Happ].”

The Cubs announced Counsell as the 56th manager of the organization in early November.

They signed him to a record-breaking five-year contract worth $40 million. He immediately became the highest-paid manager in baseball after shocking the baseball world with a lateral move to the south of his once-beloved Brewers.

Of course, that wasn’t always the plan for Counsell.

He said on MLB Network the Cubs “weren’t in the picture for most of the process.” He admitted it was “hard work” being a free agent as a manager. In the end, it came down to deciding between the Brewers and the Cubs.

The Brewers allowed Counsell to explore free agency after the skipper’s contract was up. They planned, however, to negotiate another deal. Counsell said they pushed off negotiations for a while, though they had conversations.

The Cubs seemingly pounced at the sight of the Brewers’ complacency with their manager and ushered him to the North Side. The move showed the baseball world they aren’t messing around this season — an attitude they plan to bring to free agency and the MLB offseason, too.

“We’re solving for wins… That’s the puzzle you’re putting together. That’s the hard part about roster building,” Counsell said to the media at the Winter Meetings.

The Cubs have been attached to several names. And, of course, they are still in on Shohei Ohtani. After Ohtani, the Cubs seemingly have a Plan B in Tyler Glasnow, Matt Chapman, Rhys Hoskins, Cody Bellinger and even Juan Soto, who remains available on the trade market.

It remains to be seen how the Cubs operate from a roster management standpoint this offseason. However that piece of their offseason unfolds, they have arguably the game’s best manager at the helm of their operation.

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Tyler Glasnow, pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, is available on the trade market for the right price. And the Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are both reportedly interested in the right-hander, according to Jon Morosi, barring the completion of Ohtani’s next deal.

From the Cubs’ perspective, one pivotal name has surfaced in the Glasnow trade talks, according to Bob Nightengale.

Glasnow, 30, will become a free agent after the 2024 season. He’s scheduled to make $25 million for this upcoming season on his current deal.

Concerns have been voiced about his workload, as his past season’s innings pitched (120) marked a career-high for him. Last season also marked the first year Glasnow started in over 20 games.

Although his availability has waned over the majority of his career, his strikeout numbers remain high. Glasnow struck out 162 batters in those 120 innings last season, finishing the season with a blistering 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

His 3.53 ERA and 1.083 WHIP are difficult to look past, too. Glasnow allowed 47 earned runs in 485 batters faced last season. His services would immediately boost a Cubs rotation that includes Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad.

On the other hand, Morel, 24, is one of the team’s main sources of power. He hit 26 home runs in just 388 at-bats last season. Behind Seiya Suzuki, Morel led the team in OPS last season (.821).

If the team parted ways with Morel, they’d have a considerable gap to close in terms of power. Cody Bellinger is also a free agent this offseason. He hit 26 home runs and knocked in 97 runs with the Cubs last season.

The Cubs certainly need upgrades to their starting rotation. If it’s not Glasnow, there are other options the Cubs have in front of them. One MLB insider considers them favorites to land Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, should the Cubs miss out on Ohtani.

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According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Cubs have been in contact with free agent slugger Rhys Hoskins on the parameters of a contract.

Morosi reports the Cubs have discussed both one-year and multi-year contract options with Hoskins, who missed the entire 2023 season after suffering a knee injury in spring training.

Hoskins spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit 30 home runs and drove in 79 RBI’s during the 2022 season, appearing in 156 games. He slashed .246/.332/.462, roughly in line with his career averages in all three categories.

Hoskins found himself on the outs in Philadelphia after the Phillies announced that Bryce Harper would remain the team’s full-time first baseman after beginning to play the position during the 2023 season.

It is unclear what kind of contract Hoskins will aim for, but the Cubs are looking for flexibility at first base and in their designated hitter role, with Matt Mervis likely competing for playing time at first base in the coming season.

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According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs’ optimism in their Ohtani pursuit has “significantly waned,” leading them to likely focus on other free agents this winter.

Nightengale’s report indicates that the Dodgers, Angels, Blue Jays and Giants remain as “likely finalists” in their pursuit of Ohtani.

Ohtani is quite possibly the most sought-after free agent in MLB history, having won multiple MVP awards while also pitching at a Cy Young-caliber level during his career.

During the 2023 season, Ohtani hit 44 home runs and drove in 95 RBI’s in 135 games, slashing .304/.412/.654 for the Los Angeles Angels.

He did undergo surgery on his pitching elbow late in the season, meaning that he won’t be available to pitch in the 2024 campaign. He is expected to try to pitch again in 2025, leaving his status as the most unique player in baseball intact.

As for the Cubs, if they end up moving on from the Ohtani pursuit, there are still plenty of free agents on the market, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Cody Bellinger, among others.

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Márquez, who was ranked as the Cubs’ top prospect after the 2020 season, appeared in a total of 23 games in the Cubs’ system last season. He posted a 1-1 record with a 4.99 ERA, striking out 44 batters and walking 38 in 30.2 innings of work.

Those control problems led his WHIP to balloon to 1.92, and the Cubs non-tendered him in mid-November, paving the way for him to become a free agent.

Márquez went through numerous challenges during his time with the Cubs, missing the 2021 season with a left shoulder strain and the 2022 season after undergoing surgery on that same shoulder.

He made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Cubs, appearing in one game and allowing five earned runs.

According to the Astros, Márquez will be assigned to their Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land, Texas.

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Well…..there’s some disagreement on that.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported in his column on Sunday that he does not believe Ohtani will sign at the meetings “unless someone suddenly writes a $1 billion check.”

Nightengale went on to report that he does believe Ohtani will sign before Christmas, but that the free agent is “not on the verge” of deciding his next home.

Meanwhile, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports indicated that Ohtani is “very likely” to decide on his next team in the coming week.

The next question, aside from whether Ohtani will actually sign in coming days, is which team will land him. Reports are nearly unanimous in saying the Los Angeles Dodgers are the frontrunners to sign him, but numerous other teams are making noise on that front.

Nightengale’s report tabs the Angels, Blue Jays, Giants and the Cubs as finalists for Ohtani, who would immediately be an asset in any team’s lineup and could potentially return to being the two-way phenom that can both hit and pitch at an All-Star level when he’s able to return to the mound in 2025 following elbow surgery.

Other reports have indicated that the Blue Jays are in hot pursuit of Ohtani,

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That word: desperation.

In his latest column, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale called the Cubs one of the most “desperate” teams in baseball as they seek to improve their roster after missing out on the playoffs during the 2023 season.

“You don’t fire your beloved manager, steal manager Craig Counsell from your rival, pay him a record salary, shout from the Chicago rooftops that it’s Ohtani or bust, and sit back and tell your fanbase that at least you tried if you don’t land him,” he said.

Nightengale also classified the Yankees and Dodgers, among others, as the teams most desperate to improve during the free agency window.

The Cubs have been linked to countless free agents, including the aforementioned Shohei Ohtani, whose contract is likely holding up a large chunk of the market at this point in free agency.

It isn’t clear whether Ohtani intends to meet with teams at the winter meetings, or if he will sign somewhere before they wrap up on Wednesday, but the Cubs have routinely been linked to the coveted free agent, as have the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Giants.

The Cubs have also been linked via reports to several other names, including San Diego Padres closer Josh Hader, and have also been tied to trade rumors surrounding Tampa Bay Rays ace Tyler Glasnow and Cleveland Guardians star Shane Bieber.

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Seen as heavy pursuers in now two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani, they’re also interested in another Japanese star — right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

“The 25-year-old right-hander will decide among a who’s who of teams interested in him: The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox and Cubs are among the favorites, with the Giants, Blue Jays and Phillies also expected to be in the mix,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported.

Yamamoto, 25, is one of the hottest commodities on the MLB free agency market this offseason. He’s pitched in Japan on the Forgein level and in the Nippon Professional Baseball league. All-encompassed, he holds a 1.72 ERA over nearly 1,000 innings pitched.

He turned heads during the World Baseball Classic, proving to be one of the best pitchers in the tournament. With tournament champion Team Japan, he pitched 7.1 innings and held a 2.45 ERA. He struck out 12 batters and allowed a blistering .160 batting average to his opponents, putting himself among the league’s best.

The Cubs starting rotation needs assistance. That’s part of the reason they’re heavy in the Ohtani sweepstakes, despite Ohtani being unable to pitch during the 2024 season because of a UCL tear he suffered last August.

Without Marcus Stroman in the lineup, the Cubs are currently dependent on Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, Kyle Hendricks, Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks. Should they bring in Yamamoto, they will instantly boost their rotation.

The Cubs’ interest in Yamamoto, as is with any other free agent, is likely dependent on whether or not they land Ohtani. That contract will call for well north of $500 million, and maybe even up to $600 million. It will certainly finish as the highest in MLB history.

What about Yamamoto?

“The price for Yamamoto, officials who plan on pursuing the pitcher told ESPN, seems to be growing by the day. Multiple executives said the floor will be $200 million. Others said the cost of his contract could be in excess of $250 million,” Passan reported.

The likelihood of the Cubs signing both Japanese stars seems wildly unlikely. But, if another team lands Ohtani, it would make sense for the Cubs to strongly pursue Yamamoto.

On the subject of Ohtani, Passan also reported the Cubs are firmly in the running for the two-time AL MVP.

“The Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, who were among the initial group of suitors, have turned their attention to other players, sources said,” Passan said. “Among those confirmed by sources to be still in the bidding: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and Angels. The San Francisco Giants have long had a fondness for Ohtani, though where they stand in these sweepstakes is unknown.”

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The Winter Meetings will kick off Dec. 3-6 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee. There, the most significant storyline to watch will be Shohei Ohtani. Where will he sign? How much will he sign for?

The more important question for North Side fans: where do the Cubs stand in all of this? ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the Cubs are still firmly in the race for Ohtani, while others have dropped out.

“The Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets, who were among the initial group of suitors, have turned their attention to other players, sources said,” Passan wrote Friday. “Among those confirmed by sources to be still in the bidding: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays and Angels. The San Francisco Giants have long had a fondness for Ohtani, though where they stand in these sweepstakes is unknown.”

The Cubs have been in on Ohtani since the beginning. The question at the forefront for the Cubs at this point — how much are they willing to cough up for the Japanese star?

Passan reported “The number, sources said, will surge well beyond $500 million. One source said he believes Ohtani will receive a contract for at least $550 million. Another said the bidding could reach $600 million.”

Remember, Ohtani will not pitch during the 2024 MLB season. He suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow on Aug. 23, ruling out his ability to pitch next season. It’s unknown if the injury will impact the elasticity suitors provide for Ohtani. Still, Ohtani’s contract will undoubtedly shatter Mike Trout’s $425 million deal — the richest in MLB history.

Ohtani’s decision is expected soon. It could be as quickly as next week at the Winter Meetings, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.

“I’m thinking he may sign at the Winter Meetings, which would be very, very exciting,” Heyman said. “That seems to be the prevailing opinion at this point. No guarantee.”

Ohtani is arguably baseball’s hottest commodity in its history. The Japanese star hits and pitches at an elite level, guaranteeing him a unique contract for executing and nearly perfecting both sides of the ball. Ohtani just won his second AL MVP award this past season.

How will the Cubs finish in the sweepstakes? Keep your eyes peeled for the North Side’s busy offseason.

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According to Bruce Levine of 670 the Score, the Cubs have indeed been in communication with the Rays about acquiring Glasnow, who has one year left on his contract:

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi had reported earlier this week that the Cubs were discussing potential trades for both Glasnow and for Cleveland Guardians hurler Shane Bieber.

Glasnow, who will become a free agent at the end of the 2024 season, went 10-7 last season in a career-high 21 starts, posting a 3.53 ERA as he struck out 162 batters in 120 innings.

The Cubs were likely looking for more swing-and-miss stuff from their rotation, as the team finished 19^th in Major League Baseball with 1,377 strikeouts a season ago. Justin Steele had the highest strikeout rate among Cubs starters, fanning 9.1 batters per nine innings.

Even though Glasnow saw his numbers dip a bit in 2023, he still managed 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings, his sixth consecutive season with double digit strikeouts per nine innings.

The big concern about Glasnow is longevity. He has only eclipsed 100 innings pitched twice in his career, including the 120 innings he pitched in the 2023 season.

Still, that is his first full season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, so there is reason for optimism that he could potentially take on a bigger workload this season.

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Several reports have dropped surrounding the status of teams who are in or out on the two-way superstar. Jon Heyman said on a live stream with Bleacher Report on Wednesday the Chicago Cubs are firmly in the running.

“Cubs are in there. It would be a great fit,” Heyman said.

Heyman said the Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorites at this time. He also said the San Francisco Giants are “in there hot.” The Toronto Blue Jays have whispered interest, according to Heyman, too.

One significant nugget Heyman dropped in the livestream is the timing of the deal. Heyman said Ohtani’s free agency could end as quickly as next week at the MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville from Dec. 3-6.

“I’m thinking he may sign at the Winter Meetings, which would be very, very exciting,” Heyman said. “That seems to be the prevailing opinion at this point. No guarantee.”

Heyman said he expects Ohtani to get “around $500 million.” Though, he hasn’t shied away from predicting Ohtani will haul in $600 million on his next contract.

Ohtani is arguably baseball’s hottest commodity in its history. The Japanese star hits and pitches at an elite level, guaranteeing him a unique contract for executing and nearly perfecting both sides of the ball. Ohtani just won his second AL MVP award this past season.

However, due to a UCL tear, Ohtani will not be able to pitch for the 2024 season. He will, however, be fully prepared to hit for whichever team lands him this offseason.

Will that team be the Cubs? Stay tuned, as his decision could be coming soon.

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“I don’t expect them to jump on something like this,” Dawson told the Chicago Tribune on Monday, the paper said. “If they elect to respond, they’ll take their time. And it wouldn’t surprise me if they don’t respond.”

Players could make the decision through the 2001 induction, and the hall took over the decision ahead of the 2002 vote. The change followed reports in 1999 that Tampa Bay offered to compensate the newly retired Wade Boggs if his plaque bore a Devil Rays logo. Boggs was inducted in 2005 and his plaque has a Boston Red Sox logo.

“We plan to speak to Andre but have not yet received the letter,” Hall spokesman Jon Shestakofsky said Wednesday.

Three weeks after Dawson was elected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in 2010, the hall said it decided the plaque will have an Expos cap.

“I respect the Hall of Fame’s decision to put an Expos logo on my cap, and I understand their responsibility to make sure the logo represents the greatest impact in my career,” Dawson said then in a statement issued by the hall. “Cubs fans will always be incredibly important in my heart, and I owe them so much for making my time in Chicago memorable, as did the fans in Montreal, Boston and South Florida, my home. But knowing that I’m on the Hall of Fame team is what’s most important, as it is the highest honor I could imagine.”

However, on the day the hall announced its decision, Dawson told WMVP-AM in Chicago: “I’m disappointed,” adding: “I can proudly say that because Chicago was my preference.”

At the time of the decision, then Hall president Jeff Idelson said: “You want the logo to represent where this guy made his greatest impact. He was impactful in Montreal. He was impactful in Chicago, and to a much lesser extent Boston and Florida, but it’s more of a case sitting down and collectively make a decision.”

The hall said Dawson had 1,575 of his 2,774 hits with the Expos, won six of his eight Gold Glove awards in Montreal and led the Expos to their only postseason series win while in Montreal with a five-game victory over the Phillies in the 1981 NL Division Series. Idelson also said it’s the museum’s responsibility to “properly interpret the game’s history.”

Dawson played his first 11 seasons with Montreal, batting .285 with 225 home runs and 838 RBIs. He was selected an All-Star three times and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1977. He played six seasons with the Cubs, where he won the 1987 NL MVP award after batting .287 with 49 home runs and 137 RBIs. He also played two years each for Boston and Florida before retiring in 1996.

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Flaherty played for eight seasons from 2012-2019, then immediately got into coaching in November of 2019 as an advance scout and development coach for the Padres. The Padres promoted Flaherty to bench coach in February and he acted as the interim manager for a bit in 2022 when Bob Melvin underwent surgery.

The move to Chicago is a pseudo-homecoming for Flaherty. The Cubs drafted Flaherty in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft, but he never played for the team. The Orioles selected Flaherty from the Cubs in the 2011 Rule 5 draft, and Flaherty made his MLB debut with Baltimore in 2012.

According to several reports, the Cubs are going to retain hitting coach Dustin Kelly and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, who each worked under David Ross. Hottovy’s tenure as Cubs pitching coach dates back to December 2018. Last season was Kelly’s first campaign as the team’s hitting coach.

The Cubs made the surprise move to hire Craig Counsell away from the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this month, even though Ross was still employed by the team.

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The Cubs, who are needing to replace Marcus Stroman in their rotation, are reportedly “active in trade conversations” for both Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber and Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.

According to Morosi, the Reds have also inquired on both pitchers after Sonny Gray signed a long-term deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Both Bieber and Glasnow are set to become free agents after the 2024 season, but both could command a hefty price given the state of the pitching market this offseason.

Bieber, the 2020 American League Cy Young award winner, will turn 29 in May, but was limited to 21 starts during the 2023 season, with a 6-6 record and a 3.80 ERA for the Guardians.

Spotrac estimates that he will make $12.2 million on his final one-year contract prior to hitting unrestricted free agency.

As for Glasnow, he will turn 31 during the 2024 season. He is set to make $25 million next season for the Rays, causing speculation to ramp up that he will be a trade candidate for Tampa Bay.

He was 10-7 last season with a 3.53 ERA in 21 starts, racking up 162 strikeouts in 120 innings of work.

Baseball’s winter meetings are set for next week in Nashville, with plenty of activity expected with a robust free agent market and teams looking to shed salary ahead of next season.

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Morales cites Escobar’s cousin, longtime former MLB reliever Kelvim Escobar in his report. Edwin Escobar has also appeared to address the signing on his Instagram page.

The terms of the contract, including whether it’s a minor league or major league deal, are currently unknown.

Formerly one of the game’s prized prospects, Escobar, now 31, is coming off an extended career in Japan that began in 2017 which saw him emerge as one of the more durable relievers in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Across 395 games in NPB over the course of seven seasons, Escobar has posted a 3.17 ERA with 143 walks and 383 strikeouts in 392.1 innings of work.

Prior to his time in the NPB, Escobar had limited MLB experience as well, appearing in two games with the Boston Red Sox in 2014 before making his way into 25 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016, his most recent stint in the big leagues.

In 27 games and two starts in the MLB, Escobar has posted a 1-2 record with a 7.01 ERA, with 12 walks and 19 strikeouts in 25.2 innings.

Escobar’s signing represents the continuation of a trend with the Cubs’ offseason approach to their bullpen in recent years, aiming to sign under-the-radar players on low-risk deals.

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According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Cubs are indeed interested in signing the 25-year-old hurler, but other big market teams are also very much in the mix.

That list of teams includes the Los Angeles Dodgers, whom Heyman said could be the only team interested in, or even capable of, signing both Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani in the same offseason.

The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox are also potentially in the mix for Yamamoto’s services.

It’s rare for a pitcher as young as Yamamoto to be posted by a Japanese team, but that is exactly what the Orix Buffaloes did this week. In seven career seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league, Yamamoto has posted a stellar 70-29 record with a 1.82 ERA. He has struck out 922 batters in 897 career innings in that league.

He averages 95-to-97 miles per hour with his fastball, and some reports have indicated that he could command $200 million or more on the open market.

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Tigers spokesman Chad Crunk said Tuesday that Hernández died in Florida and the team confirmed Hernández’s death with his family. No cause was announced.

The left-handed Hernández had a 13-year career but is mostly known for his role as the closer on one of the most dominant teams in the past 40 years. The 1984 Tigers, led by Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker and Jack Morris, opened 35-5 and cruised to the AL East title with a 104-58 mark before sweeping Kansas City in the AL Championship Series and beating San Diego in a five-game World Series.

Hernández had a 9-3 record and 32 saves in 33 chances in 1984, with a 1.92 ERA over 80 games and 140 1/3 innings. He is among just 11 pitchers to win the Cy Young and MVP in the same year, edging Kansas City’s Dan Quisenberry for Cy Young in 1984 and Minnesota’s Kent Hrbek for MVP.

Hernández would go on to have an excellent postseason and got the final out of the clinching Game 5, coaxing a short fly ball to left field from Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, setting off a celebration. The Tigers haven’t won a World Series since.

“Willie Hernández was a great teammate, and I’m terribly sorry to hear the news of his passing,” former Tigers star Alan Trammell said in a statement. “I will never forget our team’s celebration together on the mound after he recorded the final out of the 1984 World Series. He will always be remembered as a World Series champion. My thoughts and prayers are with this family.”

Guillermo Hernández was born in Aguada, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 14, 1954. His ascent to baseball stardom couldn’t have been predicted during 6 1/2 solid but unspectacular seasons with the Chicago Cubs that began in 1977. He was traded to Philadelphia during the 1983 season and pitched four scoreless innings in that year’s World Series as the Phillies lost to Baltimore.

Detroit acquired Hernández and Dave Bergman from the Phillies for Glenn Wilson and John Wockenfuss a few weeks before the 1984 season. Hernandez would go on to make three straight All-Star teams from 1984-86.

Hernández finished with a 70-63 record and a 3.38 ERA.

After a decline in performance led to fan booing, Hernández poured ice water from a bucket over Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom in March 1988 while the reporter was speaking with Tigers teammate Frank Tanana. The following month, Hernández asked the team to have the public address announcer refer to him as Guillermo, and Hernández went by that for the rest of his career.

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Luis Enrique Morales first reported the news on Monday night in Venezuela, where Escobar is currently pitching in the Winter Leagues. The deal was also reported by several outlets in Japan, where Escobar had pitched for the last six seasons:

Escobar, a former Top-100 prospect, last pitched in the big leagues in 2016 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, appearing in 25 games and posting a 7.23 ERA.

He has spent the last seven seasons pitching in Japan, including the last six with the Yokohama Bay Stars.

In 58 total appearances between the Japanese and Venezuelan Winter League, Escobar has a 4-2 record with a 3.33 ERA, striking out 46 batters in 51.1 innings of work.

According to a note from Bleacher Nation, Escobar also notably has been a teammate of pitcher Shota Imanaga, who is expected to come to the big leagues in 2024 and has been repeatedly connected to the Cubs in free agency rumors.

It is unclear what type of contract Escobar signed, but in all likelihood he will come to spring training with an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Cubs’ bullpen.

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According to the Cubs, the waiting list for season ticket purchases will be discontinued, with fans now able to buy the tickets via an online marketplace.

Tickets can now be purchased in full season, half-season and 20-game packages, according to the Cubs, and each comes with its own set of perks and discounts.

The 20-game packages come in four different sets, and include access to presales for concerts and other events at Wrigley Field, as well as guaranteed postseason ticket purchasing opportunities.

Half-season packages come in either a “Red” or “Blue” package, and include the aforementioned benefits, as well as a chance to participate in the team’s ticket exchange program. Discounts on concession and retail items are also available.

The half-season packages also include tickets to the team’s home opener against the Colorado Rockies.

Finally, full season tickets can now be purchased via the Cubs’ website. The tickets can be purchased in any area of the ballpark, and include a series of other benefits as well, according to the team.

More information can be found on the Cubs’ website.

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According to reports, the official window to negotiate with Yamamoto will begin on Tuesday, beginning a process where all 30 teams can make offers to the hurler and to the Buffaloes for his services.

In 24 appearances during the 2023 season, Yamamoto posted a 17-6 record and a sparkling 1.16 ERA, with 176 strikeouts and just 28 walks in 171 innings of work.

Numerous big-market teams have been reported as interested in acquiring Yamamoto, who could command a massive price tag in free agency.

Under the rules of MLB’s posting system, players from the Nippon Professional Baseball league who do not have nine years of pro experience can request to be “posted” for MLB clubs, which is what happened in this case.

That posting opens a 45-day period where teams can negotiate with him. A “release fee” would also have to be paid to Orix by the team that agrees to sign him, and that fee could tack on an additional $30 million or more depending on the price of his contract.

Some reports have emerged that Yamamoto could command $200 million or more over the lifetime of his MLB contract, likely limiting his market to big market teams. He is highly-coveted not just because of his track record of success in Japan, but also because he is only 25 years old, meaning that he could be an ace-level MLB pitcher for a decade or more.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, that could include teams like the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants, and the Cubs, but it is unclear how aggressively the Cubs could go after Yamamoto, especially if they are serious about trying to sign superstar free agent Shohei Ohtani.  

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The Cubs announced Friday that they have non-tendered pitchers Codi Heuer, Brandon Hughes and Ethan Roberts, while offering corner infielder Patrick Wisdom a new contract.

Though Friday marks the deadline for tender or non-tender decisions, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road between teams and players who have been non-tendered, as teams often look to seek out minor league deals with non-tendered players who are arbitration-eligible.

Heuer, 27, was initially acquired by the Cubs alongside infielder Nick Madrigal in a trade that sent relievers Craig Kimbrel and Ryan Tepera to the Chicago White Sox.

After initially posting strong results in 2021 with the Cubs, compiling a 3.14 ERA and two saves over 25 appearances, injury setbacks have been the story since.

Heuer has not played at the MLB level since 2021, missing two full seasons for Tommy John surgery and surgery to repair an elbow fracture, respectively.

As for Roberts, the 26-year-old righty and 2018 Cubs’ draft pick missed all of the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Roberts had limited big league experience in 2022, surrendering seven earned runs and six walks in just 7.2 innings of work across eight games.

Hughes, who will be 28 at the start of next month, has been non-tendered after an injury-riddled season of his own.

After posting strong numbers as a staple of the Cubs’ bullpen in 2022 with a 3.12 ERA and 1.092 WHIP in 57 games, Hughes battled leg injuries throughout 2023 and was limited to just 17 games.

Hughes compiled a 7.24 ERA with an 0-3 record in his limited action in 2023 before undergoing a debridement surgery on his left knee that ended his season.

Hughes, Heuer and Roberts all provided organizational depth at an area where it is certainly needed, though the trio’s recent injury struggles likely led the Cubs front office to shy away from dishing out arbitration-level salaries for the three relievers.

While the three relievers are now free agents, the Cubs could look to re-up with any of the pitchers on a minor league deal as they look to catch on with any of the 30 MLB clubs.

Though the Cubs confirmed that Wisdom agreed to a new contract, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Cubs also confirmed that they have tendered 2024 contracts to the following arbitration-eligible players:

• Adbert Alzolay
• Mark Leiter Jr.
• Nick Madrigal
• Julian Merryweather
• Justin Steele
• Mike Tauchman

The terms of the deals offered to the players were not disclosed.

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According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, MLB’s competition committee is “weighing a proposal that would reduce the pitch clock with runners on base from 20 seconds to 18 next season.” The 15-second pitch clock without runners on base would remain the same.

The proposal is in response to a gradual seven-minute increase in the average time of game last season as players adjusted to the new pitch clock rules.

Passan also reported that the committee is considering a proposal to reduce mound visits from five per game to four.

The competition committee is an 11-person panel comprised of six members representing teams, four players and one umpire.

Passan noted that players have “voiced concerns regarding the reduction of the clock,” citing a slew of pitching injuries throughout the 2023 season. However, MLB has pushed back on that concern

The average time of game in April of last season was 2:37 but increased to 2:44 in September.

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Ozzie Guillén appeared on 670 The Score’s “Mully and Haugh Show” Monday to dish about last week’s bombshell that the Cubs had fired David Ross in favor of the former Milwaukee Brewers manager.

Mike Mulligan asked Guillén, who is an analyst for NBC Sports Chicago, point-blank if Counsell is an upgrade over Ross.

“Nope,” Guillen said. “If you don’t have a ring on your finger, you’re nobody. You can be Manager of the Year [this year], and next year, you can be fired.

“At the end of the day, if you don’t have a ring on your hand, I don’t care how good a manager you are.”

Guillén was “shocked” when he heard the Cubs had cut ties with Ross, especially given how popular Ross was with his players.

“In my view, I think [Ross] did a tremendous job with the Cubs,” Guillén said. “I think they did more than expected. I think he was great with the people, great with the players. I was really shocked.

“Is [Counsell] going to do a good job? I expect that, because now the Cubs are in the position [where they better win now].”

He gave credit to Counsell for what he was able to do in a “low-impact” market like Milwaukee, where winning isn’t the expectation every year.

“Now he’s going to be in the biggest market, biggest media with the biggest critics in baseball,” Guillén said.

It’ll also take time for players to adjust to a new coaching philosophy, according to Guillén.

“It’ll take a little while for [Counsel] to get adapted to a new ball club, and the ball club adapted to him.” he said. “With [Ross], it seemed like everybody loved him, everybody was on the same page. They fought through it all the way ’til the end for the Wild Card.”

“It really, really shocked me. But like I’ve said, baseball is not a game anymore, it’s a business. It’s about winning, make some money. But I was really, really, really shocked.

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According to Ken Rosenthal and Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, Ross was offered a role as the New York Yankees’ bench coach shortly after he was fired by the Cubs, but turned the Bronx Bombers down.

“Ross would prefer to manage if he immediately jumps back into a uniformed position,” according to the report.

Rosenthal elaborated on that reporting during the latest edition of his “Foul Territory” podcast.

“It doesn’t appear it’s going in that direction,” he said of Ross landing a managerial role during this offseason. “Ross will likely sit out the year, or become an assistant somewhere. He could do that and collect his salary for 2024. David Ross is going to be just fine. David Ross is not only a good baseball person, he’s a good broadcaster.”

The Yankees’ bench coach position became vacant when Carlos Mendoza switched sides of town, taking over as manager of the New York Mets after Counsell made it clear he wasn’t interested in heading to Flushing Meadows.

Currently, there are just two managerial vacancies in MLB. The Milwaukee Brewers are still looking for their replacement for Craig Counsell, who replaced Ross as the Cubs’ skipper this week. The San Diego Padres, who saw Bob Melvin head north to take over the San Francisco Giants, also have not yet formally hired a manager.

Two other openings have already been filled, as the Houston Astros promoted their bench coach Joe Espada to their managerial job after the retirement of Dusty Baker, and the Cleveland Guardians hired Stephen Vogt to replace Terry Francona after he retired following the season.

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According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Cubs are indeed one of the teams that could still and Bellinger, but with the New York Yankees seemingly ready to pull out all the stops in their pursuit of the free agent, the North Siders may also look in other directions.

“It’s possible, (but) I do think that the Cubs have other priorities,” he said.

Morosi’s report reflected that of other insiders, including USA Today’s Bob Nightengale and MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, arguing that the Cubs, Yankees and San Francisco Giants are widely considered to be the three most serious contenders for Bellinger’s services.

The outfielder had a resurgent year with the Cubs, blasting 26 home runs and driving in 97 RBI’s as he found the form that had propelled him to a National League MVP award in 2019.

While the Cubs surely would love to bring Bellinger back, with holes at first base and a need for quality depth in their outfield to ease the transition of Pete Crow-Armstrong into the big leagues, there are other players they could potentially be looking into.

That group reportedly includes the incredible Shohei Ohtani, who has been linked to the Cubs in a few different reports this offseason. The Cubs could also look to trade for a quality bat, with San Diego’s Juan Soto and New York’s Pete Alonso both entering the final years of their contracts.

The team could also pursue starting pitching help after Marcus Stroman opted out of his contract, with Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery available in free agency and Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow potentially on the block as he enters the final year of his contract.

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“Yeah, I didn’t pick up (Cubs president Jed Hoyer)’s call,” Counsell said in his introductory press conference on Monday. “I wasn’t– that’s what first happened I guess.”

Of course, Counsell eventually called Hoyer back. That’s when Counsell first learned the Cubs were interested in hiring him and the two spoke generally about the job. At that point, Counsell wasn’t all-in on the opportunity. 

“I was interested, but cautious I guess is probably the best way to say it, but I was interested,” Counsell said. “So I suggested we get together that day because I was going to New York the next day and the time of my process was getting pretty fast. So then we got together later that day.”

Less than a week later, the Cubs fired David Ross and hired Counsell. 

Counsell shared part of why he ultimately decided to join the Cubs, including his belief in the team’s core and Hoyer’s vision for the team. Of course, the record-breaking five-year, $40 million contract probably made Counsell’s decision a little easier.

Counsell has nine years of experience as a manager, all with the Brewers. He has a 707-625 record leading the team. The Brewers won the NL Central three times over his tenure and made the playoffs five times. The furthest the Brewers ever made it in the postseason under Counsell was the NLCS in 2018.

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Counsell was available since his previous contract with the Brewers had expired and the Cubs pounced at the opportunity to add someone who is widely regarded as one of the best leaders in the game. That’s just the nature of the business sometimes, and apparently there’s no bad blood between Counsell and Ross.

“David is a very good man,” Counsell said in his introductory press conference on Monday.

Counsell said that Ross texted him before the news of the manager change broke. Counsell called Ross back immediately.

“We had what I think was a very good conversation,” Counsell said. “I’ve always had great respect for David. That gave me the ultimate respect for David, the way he handled the conversation.

“Part of this business is really difficult and it’s really cutthroat. As a player, I’ve lived it, David’s lived it. Every player lives it every day. I respect the heck out of David Ross.”

The Cubs signed Counsell to a five-year, $40 million contract. Both the average annual values and total cash in the deal are MLB records.

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“From a baseball standpoint, I think I saw quickly that the organization is just in great health, and Jed presented a very compelling vision of that,” Counsell said. “It is the right time to be a Cub. There is momentum happening here, and it feels close. And that means there’s a really exciting future ahead of us. Now it’s my job to be part of taking us to the next level, and that’s the plan.”

Before joining the Cubs, Counsell managed the Brewers for nine years, so he had a front row seat to the numerous changes the Cubs have undergone– from underdogs, to World Series Champs, to rebuilds and back to surprise contenders. Counsell praised the new core the Cubs have built and pointed to the 83 wins in 2023 as proof that the team is close to taking the next step again.

“What you have to be careful about is that what happened last year does not indicate this year. I think teams are different. I’ve used this analogy for a long time: there’s a soup made and it can be the same players, but it’s gonna taste a little different next year when grandma makes it, you know what I mean? So it’s always a little different. You have to create a new dynamic every single year, no matter what’s going on. So there’ll be players that have had wonderful years last year that not so much and then vice versa. But there’s a solid core and a solid foundation. That speaks to the health I think of the organization. And that speaks to a bright future.”

Of course a sizable pay bump likely played a sizable role in Counsell’s decision to head south. Multiple reports say Counsell signed a whopping five-year, $40 million contract. The $8 million average annual value is by far the most money in MLB, and reportedly more than double what he was making with the Brewers.

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According to the release, Counsell will be introduced at 10 a.m. Monday. The conference will stream in the video player above once it begins.

Counsell, a long-time MLB veteran player, took over the Brewers in 2015 and guided them to five playoff appearances in nine seasons at the helm. The Brewers reportedly offered Counsell a deal worth $5.5 million a season to stay in Milwaukee, but instead he signed a five-year pact with the Cubs that will reportedly pay him $8 million a season, a record for a Major League manager.

Who is Craig Counsell?

Playing as an infielder, Counsell had a 16-year playing career, including spending a long chunk of time with the Brewers. He collected World Series rings with the Marlins in 1997 and the Diamondbacks in 2001, slashing .255/.342/.344 in his MLB career. He hit 42 career home runs, drove in 390 RBI’s and registered 103 stolen bases in 5,488 career plate appearances.

After his playing career ended in 2011, Counsell worked in the Brewers’ front office for two seasons, then was a color commentator for Brewers’ broadcasts for one season.

He was hired as the team’s manager in May 2015. The Brewers won three division titles with Counsell at the helm and had reached the postseason in five of the last six seasons, including an NLCS appearance in 2018.

That season, the Brewers finished in a tie with the Cubs atop the National League Central, winning a one-game playoff at Wrigley Field. The Brewers then were dispatched from the playoffs by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This year, the Brewers won the Central Division crown again, but were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in two games in October.  

In nine seasons at the helm, Counsell went 707-625 as manager of the Brewers, racking up the most wins in team history.

Throughout the season, rumors swirled around Counsell’s future with the club, as he managed the final year of his contract. Speculation only ramped up after David Stearns left the Brewers to join the front office of the New York Mets, with Counsell linked to that job after the club fired Buck Showalter.

Now, Counsell will look to get the Cubs back to the postseason for the first time since 2020. The Cubs fell just short this year, finishing behind the Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks in the wild card race.

The Cubs haven’t won a playoff game since 2017, when they lost in five games to the Dodgers in the NLCS. The Cubs lost the NL Wild Card game in 2018 and were swept in the 2020 playoffs by the Marlins in a best-of-three series at Wrigley Field.

Milwaukee grapples with the reality of Craig Counsell managing the Cubs

The first sign of discontent regarding Craig Counsell’s decision to leave the Milwaukee Brewers to manage the Chicago Cubs appeared in his hometown at the Little League field that bears his name.

The word “ass” was spray-painted across Counsell’s name on the sign outside the ballpark at Whitefish Bay, the Milwaukee suburb where Counsell grew up and still lives. The sign was covered up Tuesday morning, one day after the Cubs landed Counsell with a five-year deal worth over $40 million.

The Brewers now must try to keep winning in Major League Baseball’s smallest market without the manager who led them to their greatest run of sustained success.

“We have a really good thing,” Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said Monday. “I give Craig credit for helping to build that, and for adding all these coaches, all of whom have stayed. So we’re going to look for a manager who can continue having a terrific clubhouse culture and that can help us keep winning and hopefully get over the hump in the playoffs.”

Counsell told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last week the opportunity for a new professional challenge and the proximity of Chicago made this opportunity appealing.

“I think as I was going through this process, it became clear that I needed and wanted a new professional challenge,” Counsell said. “At the same time, look, I’m grateful to be part of this community. And that’s going to continue, hopefully, because it has nothing to do with baseball, that part of it. I’m looking forward to being part of a new community and hopefully impact our community well, too. But as I went through it, it just became clear that I needed a new challenge.”

But the fact he went just 90 miles south to the Brewers’ biggest rival made his exit doubly painful for fans.

“You know in the first ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ movie where they’re digging to find the ark of the covenant and they open this big tomb thing and they look down and Indiana Jones says, ‘Snakes? Why did it have to be snakes?’ “ said Kay Kenealy of Waukesha, Wisconsin, a Brewers partial season ticket holder since 2006. “My initial reaction was, ‘Oh my God, the Cubs? Why did it have to be the Cubs.’ “

Laura Hemming, a partial season ticket holder since the mid-1990s, said the news “felt like kind of a gut punch.”

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On Thursday, Bellinger received an additional honor for his excellent season.

Recently introduced in 2022, Bellinger was awarded the Utility Silver Slugger, given to a player who spent significant time at more than one position throughout the season.

Bellinger was a prominent contributor for the Cubs at both center field and first base in 2023 in a season that saw the 28-year-old return to his previous MVP form.

In 130 games, Bellinger hit 26 home runs, 29 doubles and stole 20 bases while leading the Cubs’ high-octane offense with 97 RBI.

Bellinger slashed an excellent .307/.356/.525, compiling an .881 OPS and 133 OPS+ in the best marks of his career since his 2019 MVP season.

The return to form for Bellinger is seemingly more pronounced considering the lows the utility man has weathered.

Battling through injuries in 2021 and 2022, Bellinger hit his career lows in the former season, slashing just .165/.240/.302. Bellinger managed a higher batting average in 2023 than his 2021 slugging percentage.

Bellinger’s precise contact hitting gave him a career high in batting average while also finishing sixth in MLB in the category.

Having an NL Rookie of the Year, NL MVP, Gold Glove and World Series ring under his belt heading into 2023, Bellinger wins his second career Silver Slugger with Thursday’s recognition.

Bellinger’s first Silver Slugger award came in 2019, when he won the award as an outfielder.

Bellinger was also named as an outfielder finalist for his 2023 performance, while teammates Seiya Suzuki and Dansby Swanson were named as finalists for outfield and shortstop, respectively.

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Bellinger signed a one-year contract with the Cubs and had an outstanding 2023 season, with 26 home runs and 97 RBI’s for the North Siders.

He opted out of a second year with the team, but according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Cubs are expected to be in the hunt to bring him back.

During an appearance on the network Thursday, Heyman said he believes Bellinger’s future team will come down to three options: the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants….and the Cubs.

“I think ultimately he’s going to end up with one of those three teams, most likely the Cubs or Yankees,” he said.

Bellinger experienced a career renaissance in Chicago this season after several subpar years with the Dodgers. He improved his batting average by nearly 100 points, registered his most home runs since his MVP season in 2019, and posted a 4.4 Wins Above Replacement, the second-best mark of his entire career.

Bellinger is consistently ranked as the best non-Shohei Ohtani free agent on the market this year, and with the Cubs looking to potentially solidify their center field and first base spots this offseason, he would once again be a logical fit to return to the North Side.

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In an exclusive interview with Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat in Florida, Ross said that while he “gets mad from time to time,” he is more focused on the opportunity he was given to manage the Cubs.

I think the thing that comes over me is that I am extremely thankful for the opportunity, to be honest. There was a lot of people who worked really hard alongside me…I am really thankful for the four years I got, coming from zero coaching experience to getting the chance to manage such a great organization that has impacted my life in a great way,” he said.

In four seasons as manager of the Cubs, Ross posted a record of 262-284 and led the team to a Central Division crown in 2020. He helped the Cubs get above .500 for the first time in three seasons in 2023, with an 83-79 record in his final season at the helm.

While the team had indicated they were satisfied with his performance, that changed when Craig Counsell became available. With his contract expiring with the Milwaukee Brewers, Counsell became a sought-after free agent on the managerial market, and the Cubs inked him to a five-year pact that made him the highest-paid manager in MLB history.

Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, who met with Counsell in secretive talks after the beginning of the month, said the decision to part ways with Ross was a difficult one.

“On behalf of the Cubs organization, we express our deep gratitude for David’s contributions to our club, both on and off the field,” he said in a statement. “First as a player and then as a manager, David continually showcased his ability to lead. David’s legacy will be felt in Chicago for generations, and his impact on our organization will stack up with the legends that came before him.”

As for what comes next, Ross didn’t elaborate on concrete plans, but provided his mindset in the interview, which you can read on the Democrat’s website.  

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The word “ass” was spray-painted across Counsell’s name on the sign outside the ballpark at Whitefish Bay, the Milwaukee suburb where Counsell grew up and still lives. The sign was covered up Tuesday morning, one day after the Cubs landed Counsell with a five-year deal worth over $40 million.

The Brewers now must try to keep winning in Major League Baseball’s smallest market without the manager who led them to their greatest run of sustained success.

“We have a really good thing,” Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said Monday. “I give Craig credit for helping to build that, and for adding all these coaches, all of whom have stayed. So we’re going to look for a manager who can continue having a terrific clubhouse culture and that can help us keep winning and hopefully get over the hump in the playoffs.”

Counsell had been synonymous with Milwaukee baseball as the NL’s longest-tenured manager.

His father, John Counsell, was the Brewers’ former director of community affairs. Counsell had two stints with the Brewers in a 16-year playing career and became their winningest manager. He took over the Brewers in 2014 and led them to five playoff appearances over the last six seasons.

Counsell told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday the opportunity for a new professional challenge and the proximity of Chicago made this opportunity appealing.

“I think as I was going through this process, it became clear that I needed and wanted a new professional challenge,” Counsell said. “At the same time, look, I’m grateful to be part of this community. And that’s going to continue, hopefully, because it has nothing to do with baseball, that part of it. I’m looking forward to being part of a new community and hopefully impact our community well, too. But as I went through it, it just became clear that I needed a new challenge.”

The fact he went just 90 miles south to the Brewers’ biggest rival made his exit doubly painful for fans.

“You know in the first ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ movie where they’re digging to find the ark of the covenant and they open this big tomb thing and they look down and Indiana Jones says, ‘Snakes? Why did it have to be snakes?’ “ said Kay Kenealy of Waukesha, Wisconsin, a Brewers partial season ticket holder since 2006. “My initial reaction was, ‘Oh my God, the Cubs? Why did it have to be the Cubs.’ “

Laura Hemming, a partial season ticket holder since the mid-1990s, said the news “felt like kind of a gut punch.”

Counsell’s exit represents the latest setback for Wisconsin sports fans the same year that the Green Bay Packers traded four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, though this move to a division foe was more similar to Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre finishing his career with the Minnesota Vikings.

At least in that instance, Favre spent a season with the New York Jets before heading to Minnesota rather than going directly from the Packers to a division rival. Gabe Neitzel, a sports talk show host for 94.5 ESPN FM in Milwaukee, said the Favre comparisons have been coming up on his station.

“Especially with what Brett meant to the Packers, I think the overwhelming majority of people would still lean toward Brett eventually ending up with the Vikings as the biggest betrayal in Wisconsin sports,” Neitzel said.

Attanasio said the Brewers offered Counsell a deal that would have made him the highest-paid manager in baseball “both per season and the total package.” Attanasio didn’t specify terms, but Cleveland’s Terry Francona was believed to be the highest-paid manager in MLB this past season with a salary of $4.5 million.

The Cubs went way beyond that figure by firing David Ross and luring Counsell. Attanasio was asked Monday if he felt betrayed.

“Definitely not betrayed,” Attanasio replied. “I’m so high on what we have that I can’t imagine somebody wanting to be somewhere else.”

Kenealy said the Cubs’ offer was lucrative enough for her to understand Counsell’s decision.

“If I’m him and they’re offering me $40 million and it’s relatively close to home, it’s like, as much as I’d hate to think of it, if it was me, I would probably take the chance,” Kenealy said. “But it’s the Cubs.”

Hemming said she has a “degree of disbelief that settled into some anger, except I don’t know who to be mad at.” She also noted the inconvenient timing of the Brewers losing Counsell when they’re seeking hundreds of millions in public funding for repairs to American Family Field.

“I know there are people who can look past this specific personnel transaction and see the bigger picture,” said Hemming, who lives in Madison. “But right now, I feel like it’s just a terrible look for them.”

Neitzel and Hunter Baumgardt, a sports talk producer and host at 97.3 The Game in Milwaukee, said callers were pretty evenly split between blaming Attanasio and Counsell for the breakup.

Baumgardt said slightly more callers were blaming Counsell because he’d chosen a division rival. Neitzel said he believed Attanasio would have received most of the criticism if Counsell had ended up managing any opponent other than the Cubs.

“Craig Counsell’s a very relatable person because he grew up here and he knew what baseball was all about,” Baumgardt said. “There’s promotional videos and the things he said after clinching and things like that, how important Milwaukee and baseball in this city was to him. For him to go arguably to their biggest rival, I know Mark Attanasio said he didn’t feel betrayed, but I think a lot of fans feel betrayed.”

Here’s what we know, and what could unfold in the negotiations surrounding Ohtani.

How Serious is the Cubs’ Interest?

Judging by the report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Cubs are expected to be “serious contenders” for Ohtani, and several general managers told the insider that the Cubs are expected to be the “most aggressive team” in pursuit of the reigning American League MVP.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will surely be involved, as will the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, among others.

Could Ohtani’s Injury Concerns Play a Role?

Sure, there is some concern that Ohtani’s value could be impacted by the elbow surgery he underwent during the 2023 season. That procedure will in all likelihood keep him from playing in the field during the 2024 season, but beyond that, he is expected to make a run at returning to the pitcher’s mound.

That two-way ability is what makes Ohtani’s such an intriguing player, but even if he were to forego pitching in the future, there is always the very real chance he could make at least a serviceable, if not above-average, corner outfielder. If he were able to do that, then his bat would still make him the top-available free agent, and a highly-prized commodity.

What Would the Money Look Like?

While it’s unclear what the exact figure will be, one would have to figure that Ohtani is going to come close, if not exceed, the richest contracts in baseball history. Currently, Mike Trout has the highest total value of a contract, checking in at $426.5 million with the Angels.

In terms of annual salary, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander each signed deals that paid them $43.3 million annually, with Aaron Judge close behind at $40 million.

Since Judge’s contract with the Yankees runs for nine years through his age 40 season, one could realistically assume that Ohtani would want his next deal to end on a similar timeline as well.

For the purposes of this exercise, we will say that Ohtani will sign a 10-year deal, paying him $40 million per season for a total financial outlay of $400 million.

How Would That Impact the Cubs?

According to Spotrac, the Cubs’ current estimated payroll, at least for luxury tax purposes, stands at just under $185 million. That includes their current players, as well as the anticipated salaries they would hand out to their pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players.

According to MLB, the luxury tax threshold for the 2024 season will check in at $237 million, meaning that any team that exceeds it would have to pay penalties to the league.

For the first year that a team exceeds the tax, all payroll that goes over the $237 million mark is taxed at 20%, meaning that for every $1 million, a team would have to pay $200,000 in taxes.

That also compounds each year, with the penalty increasing to 30% for a second year of overages and 50% for three or more years.

What’s more, if a team exceeds the luxury tax by more than $20 million, they are assessed a 12% surcharge. Doing so by $40 million would result in a 42.5% surcharge, and any team exceeding the luxury tax by $60 million or more would potentially have to pay a staggering 60% surcharge.

With all of that in mind, if the Cubs were to pay Ohtani $40 million, and decided to keep all of their arbitration-eligible players, their payroll would balloon to an estimated $225 million, according to Spotrac.

That would give the Cubs just $12 million to work with to fill out the remainder of their roster, a task that could include corner infielders and additional pitchers.

The Cubs would almost assuredly exceed the luxury tax in the coming year, and they would run the risk of repeat violator status given the extensions handed out to Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner, as well as the continued increases in the salary of Justin Steele.

Are There Ways to Save Money?

The Cubs could lower their luxury tax bill by opting not to re-sign some of their arbitration-eligible players, with Patrick Wisdom and Mark Leiter standing out on that list, but that would only save them a few million dollars.

The real savings would come in the second year and beyond of Ohtani’s deal, with Kyle Hendricks’ $16 million contract coming off the books. Drew Smyly’s $10.5 million would also come off the books, as would the $10.25 million in retained salaries for Trey Mancini and Tucker Barnhart, both of whom are counting against the Cubs’ luxury tax bill in 2024.

Will the Cubs Pull the Trigger?

It seems hard to imagine a world where the Cubs would be able to compete with the financial resources of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but with the New York Mets and San Diego Padres likely sidelined in the discussions, and with the New York Yankees potentially looking elsewhere to make impacts, the Cubs could be in a position to seriously compete for Ohtani.

Of course, there are other needs that will have to be addressed too. That includes center field, with Cody Bellinger departing via free agency. Yes, Pete Crow-Armstrong is likely the long-term play there, but having another veteran outfield option is surely something the Cubs would be okay with.

The Cubs also need to solidify their corner infield spots, both of which were black holes in terms of offensive production in 2024. The team has indicated they will explore having Christopher Morel manning first base, but between him and Matt Mervis, the Cubs certainly can’t assume they have that position taken care of.

Finally, there is the pitching staff. The Cubs will need to add more bullpen arms too, and with Marcus Stroman opting out of his deal, the Cubs will need to add at least one more starting pitcher to the mix as well, and there are plenty of options available on the free agent market there.

Adding Ohtani wouldn’t rule the Cubs out on adding other free agents, but it certainly would limit the level of player they would seek out.

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Tickets for Cubs’ Spring Training games in Arizona go on sale next month, with tickets available beginning at 11 a.m. local time on Dec. 8.

The Cubs play their Spring Training home games at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., which opened in 2014.

In 2024, the Cubs will play 18 home games at Sloan Park and 16 away games within the Cactus League, beginning with the home opener against the Chicago White Sox on Feb. 23, beginning at 1:05 p.m. Mountain Time.

Tickets can be purchased online here once they are available, with a limit of six tickets purchased per game. In-person purchases will not be accepted.

Fans with season tickets will have the opportunity to purchase Spring Training tickets on Dec. 7 via an exclusive presale opportunity.

The Cubs’ full Spring Training schedule can be found here.

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Boras, long-known for his colorful quips about his free agent clients, spoke to media at the General Manager meetings in Arizona this week, and he was especially loquacious about Bellinger’s status on the free agent market.

“Chicago got the comforts of a full ‘Belli,’ so they’re going to have to loosen their belts to keep Bellinger,” he said.

Most free agency rankings put Bellinger just behind Shohei Ohtani in terms of the most attractive candidates on the market, and his 2023 statistics reveal the reason why. He had a renaissance year with the Cubs, slugging 26 home runs and driving in 94 RBI’s. He had a .307 batting average, which ranked him in the top-10 in baseball, and put up an .881 OPS.

Bellinger declined the team option on his deal with the Cubs, paving the way to becoming a free agent.

Boras says that there is “broad interest” in his client, and he anticipates a high asking price.  

“There’s broad interest in Cody Bellinger because certainly in the outfield and first base areas in this market he is the young jewel,” he said.

Bellinger won Silver Slugger awards for the Cubs this season thanks to his exploits, which followed several down years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who non-tendered him after the 2022 campaign.

The Cubs have been one of the teams interested in Bellinger, along with the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees, among others.

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MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported Tuesday that the Chicago Cubs are “serious contenders” for free agent superstar Shohei Ohtani after speaking with several executives at the MLB General Managers Meetings, which are being held in Scottsdale, Arizona this week

“The Dodgers remain the heavy favorites,” Nightengale said. “The Chicago Cubs and Rangers are serious contenders, with several GMs saying that the Cubs may be the most aggressive team for his services.”

This report comes just days after the Cubs stunned the baseball world by hiring former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell to a five-year contract.

The fight for Ohtani will be one for the history books, with the two-way phenom — and 2023 AL MVP candidate — expected to earn the largest contract in MLB history this offseason.

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Though expected by many to re-up with the Brewers and stay in his hometown, the move down I-94 to a division rival left a wide range of emotions among fans of both teams and Counsell himself.

“Yesterday was an emotional day. I was sad first, then happy, then I was crying, then I was laughing, I went through all of it,” Counsell said to reporters Tuesday.

The new Cubs skipper also let fans know the impact of the sudden move was not lost on him.

“There was a lot yesterday and I understand. It was a decision that affected a lot of people, and I take that very seriously,” Counsell said.

Counsell, who grew up in the Milwaukee era, spent six seasons of his playing career with the Brewers and became the club’s manager in May 2015 following a 7-18 start to the club’s season that year.

Managing the Brewers from May 2015 through the 2023 season, Counsell developed a reputation for getting the most out of relatively low-payroll rosters.

Under Counsell, the Brewers have made the playoffs in five of the last six seasons, including two 95+ win campaigns in 2018 and 2021, respectively.

Over the course of nine seasons, Counsell’s Brewers were 707-625, with a 7-12 record in the postseason.

With a five-year deal worth over $40 million, Counsell will become the highest-paid manager in baseball history with the Cubs, in a deal that is widely expected to reset the market for manager salaries.

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