What Chicago Cubs Might Have to Spend for Shohei Ohtani

Two experts and a baseball writer have projections on what Shohei Ohtani could get in free agency.

What might it take for the Chicago Cubs to lure free-agent star Shohei Ohtani to the Windy City?

It could be the record-breaking deal that everyone believes the new American League MVP will receiver.

The New York Post consulted two salary experts to get a prediction on what Ohtani might get on the open market, along with baseball writer Jon Heyman.

The length of the deal could mirror some of the deals that were signed last year, going as long as 11 years. One prediction had the contract going 10 years but featuring an opt-out after the 2024 season.

That prediction from one expert had Ohtani signing a 10-year, $400 million deal. The opt-out would accommodate Ohtani’s recovery from a procedure on his torn UCL, one that will keep him from pitching until 2025.

Another expert gauged the deal at 11 years and $535 million. That would eclipse baseball’s largest single deal, the $426.5 million, 12-year deal that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.

Heyman? Well, he was bullish on Ohtani getting a 10-year deal worth $600 million, which would net Ohtani $60 million per year.

Ohtani, turned down the Angels’ qualifying offer of $20.325 million on Tuesday, which would have given him guaranteed money during 2024.

Ohtani and his representatives have made it clear that while Ohtani is open to being solely a designated hitter in 2024, he is intent on continuing to be a two-way player once he is fully rehabbed from his surgery.

For his career, he is a three-time All-Star, the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year and the 2021 AL MVP. He’ll find out later this week if he’s an AL MVP for the second time.

Ohtani finished 2023 with a slash line of .304/.412/.654/1.066 with 44 home runs and 95 RBI, with his homers leading the American League. As a pitcher he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts and 55 walks.

The Cubs were interested in Ohtani when he came over from Japan before the 2018 season, but he opted to sign with the Angels. After several highly successful seasons with the Angels — and two Tommy John procedures — the Cubs have a chance to land Ohtani once again.

On Monday, a report from CBS Sports said that Ohtani was less concerned about geography and more concerned about going to a team that can be competitive and give him a chance to go to the playoffs, something he has not done in his Major League career.