The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are Dodgers considering a number of intriguing right-handed hitting options as negotiations to sign free-agent outfielder Teoscar Hernández have come to a standstill. Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs is apparently being considered as one such alternative.
The 30-year-old Suzuki had a stellar 2024 season, hitting.283/.366/.482 with 73 RBIs, 21 home runs, and.848 OPS. He has a complete no-trade clause and is expected to make $36 million over the following two seasons. However, considering Suzuki’s possible move to a designated hitter role after the Cubs acquired Kyle Tucker, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic claims that the team may consider selling him. Pete Crow-Armstrong will be in center, Tucker will be in right, and Suzuki will now be reduced to DH duty.
The Cubs have already started talking about Suzuki’s future. In a surprising move from the Winter Meetings, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer reached out to Suzuki and his representatives to discuss interest from other teams. “Jed has been very transparent about it,” said Suzuki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, “and he shared which teams they’ve been in talks with.” Although Suzuki performed marginally better as a DH than an outfielder in a similar number of plate appearances last season, the Cubs understand he might not want to take on that role full-time.
Although I don’t believe he wants to trade Seiya, he might feel pressured to accept an offer under some circumstances. He has therefore talked to us about the teams Seiya may take into consideration. “The idea of Seiya being relegated to DH isn’t exactly a compliment, because he was an excellent defender in Japan,” Wolfe continued.
Even after the Cubs traded Cody Bellinger during the Winter Meetings, there is still a chance for another surprise transaction. During the Winter Meetings, Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins stated, “The bar to trade any great player is really, really high.” We’re not interested in trading Seiya. However, Joel pointed out that some teams are inherently drawn to exceptional athletes. We’re willing to have such conversations if those clubs ask.
