Shohei Ohtani is a Dodger. What’s next for the Cubs?

 Shohei Ohtani, a two-way superstar, has signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, spurning the Chicago Cubs and their plans for a left-handed, middle-of-the-order bat in their offense

. The Cubs were prepared to tackle the offseason with or without Ohtani, and now they must move forward without him

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The next steps for the Cubs include:

Exploring other options: The Cubs will need to find alternative ways to strengthen their offense, as Ohtani was a significant target for them

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They may consider other free agents or trade options to fill the void left by Ohtani.

Developing their own talent: The Cubs have a strong farm system and can focus on developing their own players to fill key roles in the future. This may include promoting prospects from the minor leagues or signing undrafted free agents

Adjusting their strategy: The Cubs may need to adjust their overall strategy to account for the loss of Ohtani. This could involve reevaluating their approach to player acquisitions, roster management, and game strategy.

Building for the future: The Cubs have a solid core of young players and can continue to build for the future. They may use the resources freed up by not signing Ohtani to invest in other areas of the team that need improvement.

Despite missing out on Ohtani, the Cubs still have an early look at him next season, as the Dodgers will play against the Cubs in a seven-game series at Wrigley Field, starting on April 5

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. Ohtani will not be pitching for the Dodgers during that series, as he will be recovering from surgery on his pitching elbow.