Trade rumors swirl as Suzuki not happy with role with Cubs |
Much of the discussion so far this offseason has focused on the probability that the Cubs will be active in the trade market and rumors about who might be on the trading block for Chicago.
There has been reported interest for the Cubs in big league pitchers (i.e., Seattle’s starters, Garrett Crochet from the White Sox), etc. It has also been thoroughly reported that the Cubs would be interested in trading Cody Bellinger. Among Bellinger’s name in rumors, in addition to prospects, Nico Hoerner has seen his name dangled in trade rumors as a potential match with the New York Yankees or the Seattle Mariners. The latest Cub to enter the rumor mill is Sieya Suzuki. The reasons are unfortunate. Most offseason models have included the Cubs trading Cody Bellinger to open up RF or DH to acquire an additional hitter, with Suzuki slotting in the opposite spot. If the Cubs do not find a trade partner and the current offense enters 2025 as is, Bellinger would play right field, and Suzuki would slot in as the full-time DH. However, Suzuki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, commented this week that Suzuki doesn’t want to be a designated hitter, which may lead to him being traded. “I don’t think (Jed) wants to trade Seiya,” said Wolfe. “But there may be a scenario where he feels like he has a deal that he can’t say no to.” The Cubs signed Suzuki to a five-year contract ahead of the 2022 season. However, the emergence of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Cody Bellinger’s contract in Chicago created a crowded outfield for the Cubs. There’s no secret that the Cubs, or any team, would want Suzuki. Over the past two seasons, he has ranked as a top-20 hitter in the league. Suzuki has had a bit of a tough time staying on the field, as he has faced time on the injured list in his first three big league seasons. It was also well-documented that Suzuki was a plus defender in Japan as he was a multi-time winner of the Japan League’s version of the Gold Glove. However, in MLB, Suzuki’s defensive prowess has not translated. His arm has been solid but, at times, erratic. Plus, he has dropped nearly a dozen routine fly balls that have proven costly. According to the metrics, Suzuki has been below average defensively — posting negative outs above average in two of the last three seasons (for reference, Pete Crow-Armstrong had 14 in his rookie season). These factors pointed toward Suzuki potentially slotting long-term as the Cubs’ DH — although it doesn’t seem like something he wants to do. If that was the plan from the start, Suzuki may have chosen a different team. “I think that if he was being posted in Japan and teams were presenting to them their opportunities and they said you could come here and be our full time DH, I don't think he would have signed with that team,” Wolfe said. If the Cubs can’t place Suzuki in right field and he doesn’t want to DH, perhaps they will look to move him. A Suzuki trade may not be imminent, but Jed Hoyer and Wolfe have communicated about the teams the Cubs would talk to (since Suzuki would have to waive his no-trade clause to be dealt). One of the teams with rumored interest is the Astros, as the Cubs have been linked to Houston in rumors for Kyle Tucker. However, Hoyer made it abundantly clear that the Cubs love Suzuki and are still planning for Suzuki to be with the Cubs in 2025. “We’ve had conversations about his role,” Hoyer said. “I expect him to be a Cub.” However, while the hot stove continues to heat up after the Winter Meetings, Suzuki’s name might be one to keep an eye on.
