That seems such an implausible long shot.
1. Cubs have no money advantage; and some disadvantage.
Otani is leaving TENS - if not
HUNDREDS - of
MILLIONS of dollars on the table. Money is not a motivator here, and it's not going to make a difference. When you waive your ability to earn nine figures, the difference between high six and low seven figures is meaningless.
2. The guy wants to be an amazingly-unique 2-way guy, he loves to hit; Cubs have no DH, and don't have any starts at 1B to give away either.
Otani has 60-70 grade speed and a cannon arm. He's likely an excellent defensive OF, and the Cubs are reportedly saying they would let him play OF. Under normal circumstances, that would simply be too great a risk for a pitcher of Otani's ability, but if your chances of signing him disappear without the OF option, it's literally no risk at all, especially given that he's basically going to play for free wherever he signs.
3. Cubs don't have the international reputation of the Yankees.
Agreed. This is a challenge for the Cubs and one of the reasons why - though they may be serious contenders - they cannot be considered front runners.
4. Chicago isn't a shorter flight back home, nor is it an unusually established Japanese hot-spot, either community-wise or as a team.
Don't think the shorter-flight-back-home will matter much, but the Japanese cultural issue is also a weakness for the Cubs.
Just hard to imagine why Ohtani would want to choose the Cubs ahead of one of the AL/DH teams that project to be annual contenders.
If Otani really wants to challenge himself and prove his ability in every aspect of baseball, AL/DH teams are not necessarily at an advantage.
My opinion on the matter literally means nothing and is worthless, but I'll give it anyway: Otani, in waiving hundreds of millions of dollars, is coming here for one thing.
Glory.
The chance to prove himself the greatest and most complete baseball player of all time by excelling in every facet of the game; the incarnation of the ideal Platonic form of baseball greatness; the first ever two-way star; an icon and an archetype for a select few future athletes who might also attempt two-way greatness. Basically, Baseball Jesus.
He could have waited a few years, and barring injury, still have played on the greatest stage while preserving the ability to earn absurd amounts of money. But if he waits a few years, he loses some of his prime. He loses years he could have plied against the greatest numbers in record books.
Coming now says, "I want to be Baseball Jesus," and I don't know that Baseball Jesus is a DH.