Chicago Cubs Get Expected News About Seiya Suzuki

The Chicago Cubs are set to lose some pretty big players this offseason. 

The Cubs have a long list of free agents that includes players like Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Kevin Gausman, Shota Imanaga, Clay Holmes, Matthew Boyd, David Peterson, Carson Kelly, and Michael Conforto. 

The biggest name on that list is Suzuki. The Japanese slugger is widely regarded as one of the top bats on the free-agent market this offseason after putting together back-to-back elite campaigns.

In 2025, Suzuki slashed .245/.326/.478 with 32 home runs, 31 doubles, three triples, 103 RBI, and five stolen bases across 151 games. Those 32 home runs and 103 RBI were both career highs for the slugging outfielder. 

In 2026, Suzuki arguably had his best all-around season. He slashed .270/.368/.473 with 26 home runs, 31 doubles, one triple, 86 RBI, and three stolen bases across 143 games, while also playing above-average defense in right field. The 32-year-old was a National League Gold Glove finalist and ranked in the 86th percentile in Fielding Run Value. 

Those strong numbers in both 2025 and 2026 mean that Suzuki will no doubt draw interest from plenty of teams this offseason. He has posted consistent hitting numbers since making his Major League debut in 2022 and has improved as a defender over the years. 

The Cubs would obviously love to have Suzuki back. He was the perfect power bat at the top of the lineup, and you can’t ignore how impactful he was to this team in 2026. His 5.1 WAR was the best of his career. 

That’s why the Cubs extended the qualifying offer to him a few weeks back. The team hoped Suzuki would accept the $23.15 million qualifying offer for next season and avoid free agency altogether. 

However, Suzuki is expected to decline that qualifying offer and officially become a free agent. Suzuki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, said at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas earlier this week that the slugger will not accept it. 

“He will decline it,” Wolfe said. “We also want to explore options with other teams.”

It comes as no surprise that Suzuki will decline the qualifying offer. It was always a long shot. Suzuki could earn more on the free-agent market and is due for a big payday after a few solid offensive years.  

The Cubs are set to lose Suzuki this winter unless they are ready to spend $100+ million on the slugger, which appears unlikely.