Unfortunately, Japanese star Shohei Ohtani opted against the Chicago Cubs, signing an Earth-shattering $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency.
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.
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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)
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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.