A recent report revealed that the Los Angeles Dodgers are considering Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs as a potential trade target following the Cubs’ acquisition of star outfielder Kyle Tucker, who is expected to take over the right field position previously held by Suzuki. This move could make sense for the Dodgers, especially with Teoscar Hernández becoming a free agent and his market likely to rise as top players come off the board. Given the Dodgers’ already high payroll, they may not want to enter a bidding war for Hernández, making Suzuki an attractive alternative to fill the void.
However, while it seems logical for the Dodgers to pursue Suzuki, the Cubs are reportedly not inclined to trade him. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, a source familiar with the Cubs’ thinking indicated that the team values Suzuki highly and does not want to move him, even with the addition of Tucker. The Cubs believe that the market for right-handed hitters is weak, and replacing a player with Suzuki’s skillset—who has posted an .824 OPS over three seasons in the majors—would be difficult. This decision also makes sense from a competitive standpoint, as the Cubs are aiming to contend for a playoff spot in 2025. Trading away one of their top offensive players could hurt their chances, particularly if another outfielder gets injured during the season.
Despite the presence of Tucker, the Cubs may have to play Suzuki more as a designated hitter in 2025, a role he has previously resisted. However, from a team perspective, this could be beneficial, as Suzuki performed at his best when serving as a DH, thus giving the Cubs the best chance to win. While a trade could still be on the table if the Dodgers present a compelling package, the Cubs seem determined to hold onto Suzuki for now.
Another important factor in the Cubs’ decision is their ongoing pursuit of another Japanese star, pitcher Roki Sasaki, as an international free agent. The Cubs recently met with Sasaki, and while they have stated that it is not Suzuki’s or fellow countryman Shota Imanaga’s responsibility to recruit Sasaki, keeping Suzuki on the roster could help strengthen their pitch. The Cubs could be more persuasive in their pursuit of Sasaki if they maintain a strong connection to Japan through Suzuki’s presence on the team.
For now, it appears that the Cubs are committed to keeping Suzuki in 2025, unless an irresistible offer comes their way that forces them to reconsider.
