Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Seiya Suzuki Prepared to Recruit Shohei Ohtani to Cubs at World Baseball Classic

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ron Luce | Last updated 2/20/23

With the World Baseball Classic around the corner, Seiya Suzuki is already recruiting for the Cubs as he joins Shohei Ohtani on Team Japan.

Baseball is so dangerously close, you can almost smell the hot dogs at Wrigley Field, hear the vendors walking up and down the aisles, and imagine the Chicago Cubs taking the field. However, before those beautiful sensory moments come to fruition, Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic have to come and go. That said, the World Baseball Classic features a ton of current Cubs players, and future Cubs too?

According to Cubs OF Seiya Suzuki, he is already trying to recruit at the WBC. In this case, he is in the ear of Team Japan teammate Shohei Ohtani about possibly joining the Cubs via free agency, assuming he gets there, next offseason.

How about that? Seiya Suzuki has already drawn a ton of attention at Cubs camp after coming in looking much bigger than a season ago. Not only is his game expected to take a major leap in 2023, but apparently his recruiting skills are set to do the same.

Ohtani is certainly a player the Cubs would love to add. After an incredible season in 2022 and the Los Angeles Angels looking like they won't pay him what he's seeking, a number of teams are licking their chops for his services in 2024 and beyond. As it stands, Suzuki has "already invited [Ohtani]" to join the Cubs next winter and, if they have a strong 2023, the Cubs could be favorites for the two-way superstar's services.

The World Baseball Classic begins on March 7 and runs through March 21. Opening Day is slated for March 30 for just about every team in MLB. That in mind, hopefully Shohei Ohtani enters the 2023 with some inspiration and good thoughts regarding the Cubs if he hits the open market before the 2024 season.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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