Chicago Cubs fans giddy about outfielder Seiya Suzuki wanting to recruit Shohei Ohtani to join team: "Please make it happen" "Would be so wild" 

Shohei Ohtani will be playing with the Chicago Cubs in 2024 and beyond if Seiya Suzuki has anything to say about it.

Suzuki, a Cubs outfielder and teammate of Ohtani's on the Japanese National Baseball Team, told Chicago sports writer and podcaster Ryan Herrera on Monday that he is ready to recruit the Los Angeles Angels phenomenon and likely soon-to-be highest paid player in MLB history to Wrigley Field.

"I am inviting him," Suzuki said about recruiting potential free agent Ohtani to play for the Chicago Cubs next season.

Shohei Ohtani has refused to speculate on any future contractual obligations as he enters the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He is scheduled to make $30 million this year, but it is anticipated he will be offered in excess of $50 million per year as a free agent after the 2023 season.

Still, Suzuki's thoughts on recruiting Ohtani to come to the Windy City has Chicago Cubs fans ecstatic by the mere possibilities.

If Shohei Ohtani's contract situation remains unresolved as the season moves forward, there is widespread speculation that the 2021 American League MVP and 2022 AL MVP runner-up could be dealt before the MLB trade deadline this summer.

There may not be much left in the bank for the Los Angeles Angels to re-sign Ohtani, as the Angels already have the largest contract in MLB history on their books in the form of the $426.5 million deal they gave to centerfielder Mike Trout.

Baseball insiders have prospected that Ohtani, the biggest two-way superstar in MLB since Babe Ruth, is likely headed for a contract exceeding $500 million. Chicago Cubs fans are imploring team chairman Tom Ricketts and president Jed Hoyer to open the checkbook – while realizing the bidding may well go past what the pair are comfortable with.

What is undisputed is that Chicago Cubs fans want Suzuki to fully proceed with any recruiting attempts he sees fit. Suzuki and Ohtani will be teammates for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic in March.

Don't forget, Ohtani was nearly a Chicago Cubs player from the start.

Chicago Cubs will have heavy competition for Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels poses during photo day.

One thing is for certain, if the Cubs do go after Shohei Ohtani during next winter's free agent free-for-all, there will be heavy competition from other big-spending major league teams.

As the New York Post reported from a source close to the New York Mets:

"The Mets will make Ohtani the best-paid player in the history of sports — whether he plays for the Mets or not — because the offer will be insane. And if someone else wants to beat it go ahead."