Chicago Cubs Viewed as a Team Who Needs Japanese Phenom Most

The Chicago Cubs are viewed as one of eight teams who need Japanese phenom pitcher.

The Chicago Cubs' interest in Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been well-documented throughout the offseason. Reports continue to suggest that the team is interested, although it's uncertain just how interested they are.

With a bidding war likely for the Japanese phenom's services, Chicago isn't expected to be a part of them. If the price tag is too high, reports indicate that they won't outbid the New York Yankees, New York Mets, or Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, that doesn't mean that they're not one of the teams that needs him most. Andrew Simon of MLB.com ranked the Cubs as one of the eight clubs that could use the right-hander.

"While the Cubs were connected heavily to Yamamoto earlier in the offseason, some more recent reports have pumped the brakes on that idea as his market has escalated. But while Chicago may no longer be as realistic a landing spot for Yamamoto as other cities, he still stands out as a strong fit for a club looking to find its way back to the top of a winnable NL Central. Remember, the Cubs are coming off an 83-win season, and may lose two key free agents, Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman."

Given what Simon says, even if Chicago isn't as connected to Yamamoto as they were, the fit makes a ton of sense. If the front office wants to spend big on a free agent, why not do that for the best available pitcher?

The losses for the Cubs are going to be tough to replace, especially if the front office isn't willing to spend as much as they need to make this team better.