Chicago Cubs outfielder/designated hitter Seiya Suzuki had been involved in trade speculations earlier this off-season as he reportedly was unhappy with switching over to being a primary designated hitter. Those trade rumors died down following Cubs Convention, when the team announced that they resolved their conflict and that Suzuki was on board with being primarily a DH this year. Despite this, a recent trade proposal with the Boston Red Sox has emerged.
Seiya Suzuki contract and playing time outlook
Entering 2025, Suzuki has two years remaining on his contract in which he is set to make $19 million per season. His primary role this year will be serving as a DH, as Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Kyle Tucker will be the everyday outfielders. This isn’t to say Suzuki won’t play the field, but an ideal defensive configuration does exclude him from the outfield.
Chicago Cubs – Boston Red Sox trade proposal
At Fansided, Zach Pressnell proposed the following Cubs – Red Sox deal:
Cubs receive:
- OF Jhostynxon Garcia (#9 prospect)
- SS Nazzan Zanetello (#13 prospect)
Red Sox receive:
- OF/DH Seiya Suzuki
- Cash
Despite including Chicago sending cash in this hypothetical deal, Pressnell’s driving logic behind this trade being good for both sides was that the Cubs were shedding payroll while acquiring two talented prospects. He also mentioned that the Red Sox need a right-handed slugger in their lineup.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki has been rumored to be a trade piece for the Cubs all offseason. He’s set to earn $19 million in 2025 and $19 million in 2026; that kind of money is certainly not something the Cubs want to pay, especially given their outfield depth, so they could ship him to the Red Sox for a package of prospects.
Additionally, it is worth noting that Suzuki has a full no-trade clause. If he were to waive it, odds are he would want to go to a team where he can play the outfield, as that was the number one reason he ended up in trade rumors this off-season.
Spilling cold water on this trade proposal
To me, this trade does not make sense from the Cubs standpoint. Suzuki’s average annual salary is already calculated into their payroll projections, on paper the offensive lineup is much better with him in it, and Chicago has already committed to being nearly all in for the 2025 season by acquiring two star players, Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly, both of whom will be free agents at seasons end.
Moving Suzuki now would likely create unnecessary disruption in what has overall been a very good off-season for Chicago. A trade like this would undermine their plans for the 2025 season, in which the moves they have made should put them in contention for the playoffs.
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