Cubs will reportedly pursue Shohei Ohtani in free agency

The Chicago Cubs are 52-51, currently have a seven-game winning streak cooking and how they're trending could impact what they do this offseason. 

A new report indicates the Cubs may throw their hat in the ring on the biggest potential free agent in decades — Shohei Ohtani. Per NBC Sports, "the Cubs are anticipated to be involved in the bidding."

Ohtani's arguably the most fascinating baseball player since Babe Ruth. And just like Ruth, has excelled as a pitcher and as a batter.

Ohtani's hitting .301 this season, leads the majors in triples (seven), home runs (39), slugging percentage (.681), OPS (1.077), and total bases (263), and leads the American League in walks (62). 

Ohtani's been dominant on the mound, too, posting a 9-5 record with a 3.43 ERA, with 156 strikeouts while leading the majors in hits allowed per nine innings (5.9).

Ohtani's contract is expected to exceed $600M and that'll leave a lot of teams out of the race for Shohei. However, teams such as the Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers, Mets and Padres could all try to land him. 

While there's still a chance that Ohtani remains with the Los Angeles Angels, the price may be to steep to keep him, especially if a bidding war ensues. 

Further, the Angels have been a losing squad for years and if Ohtani's to stick around in Anaheim there's no guarantee he'll ever play meaningful playoff games in October. 

One thing that is known is Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who knows Ohtani and is also from Japan, wants him in Chicago. Back in February Los Angeles Times reporter Jorge Castillo reported that Suzuki invited Ohtani to join the Cubs. 

And then when the Cubs played the Angels in June Suzuki was captured on camera jokingly trying to reel Ohtani in.