President Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs still believe they are in the mix for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Hoyer denied a USA Today report that claimed the Cubs had balked at Ohtani’ s 10- year price tag of at least $500 million and they appeared to be out of the bidding. The Cubs’ silence on the Ohtani front extended to manager Craig Counsell, who kept his answers.
President Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs still believe they are in the mix for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.
Hoyer would not offer any details Tuesday beyond that, however, as Major League Baseball’s free agency and trade market largely remain at a standstill waiting for Ohtani’s decision as his courtship remains shrouded in secrecy.
“I’m not going to comment on it, but we have not been given a status check (by Ohtani’s camp), so to speak,” Hoyer said on the second day of the MLB winter meetings.
Hoyer denied a USA Today report that claimed the Cubs had balked at Ohtani’s 10-year price tag of at least $500 million and they appeared to be out of the bidding.
“I don’t know where that came from, there’s nothing to report whatsoever,” Hoyer said. “On all the Ohtani stuff, just like I would any free agent, I’m not going to talk about discussions or meetings or where it is, just keep that quiet like anything else.”
The Cubs’ silence on the Ohtani front extended to manager Craig Counsell, who kept his answers simple when questioned about the organization’s involvement.
Have the Cubs met with Ohtani?
“I have not,” Counsell replied.
How about the front office?
“I have not,” he repeated.
Counsell acknowledged he has been on the phone with free agents to recruit since joining the organization last month, noting, “Not a lot, but yes.
