One Dodgers Competitor for Shohei Ohtani Appears Out of the Bidding

Another suitor is out of the running, reportedly leaving Ohtani down to four teams.

We are slowly watching the free agency of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani come to the finish line. Depending on the day, it seems another team hoping to sign Ohtani has been eliminated from contention. The Dodgers remain firmly in the hunt, as manager Dave Roberts confirmed meeting with Ohtani at Dodger Stadium a few days ago.

But it appears that one of Ohtani's potential suitors is out of the bidding. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Chicago Cubs appear to have fallen short with their final proposal.

"The Chicago Cubs, however, have balked at Ohtani’s price tag of 10 years and at least $500 million, one high-ranking official told USA TODAY Sports and appear to now be out of the bidding."

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today

Chicago was thought to be one of the more interested teams in the mix for Ohtani and one of the Dodgers' biggest competitors. Now, it appears they won't be signing off on the largest contract in baseball history.

The Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants are reported to be among the final four teams on Ohtani's list, along with the Dodgers.

*Counsell https://t.co/N0rtxYWF1v

— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) December 5, 2023

Details of Ohtani's free agency process have rarely become public knowledge. That is by design. Ohtani has always kept his off-the-field affairs largely private, and he has reportedly expressed his desire to keep his meetings with teams secret as well.

Now it seems his free agent process is coming to a head, and a decision is in clear sight.