Seiya Suzuki Set To Command Money Outside Of Cubs' "Comfort Zone"

The Chicago Cubs will have to decide which players they want to bring back next season. 

The Cubs have more than a handful of free agents set to hit the open market this winter. Players like Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Kevin Gausman, Shota Imanaga, Clay Holmes, Matthew Boyd, and Carson Kelly could all leave in free agency. 

Of those free agents, Suzuki is the one that the Cubs can’t afford to lose. 

Suzuki has been a big part of this Cubs offense in each of the last two seasons. He slashed .245/.326/.478 with 32 home runs, 31 doubles, 103 RBI, and five stolen bases across 151 games in 2025 and slashed .270/.368/.473 with 26 home runs, 31 doubles, 86 RBI, and three stolen bases across 143 games in 2026. 

While his home run and RBI numbers dropped this past season, his overall production was up across the board. He raised his batting average by 25 points, and 2026 was the best statistical year of Suzuki’s career. The Japanese slugger finished with a personal-best 5.1 WAR. 

Part of his strong 2026 season came in the field. After posting a negative Fielding Run Value in each of his first four years, Suzuki put together his best all-around defensive campaign. He finished in the 85th percentile in Fielding Run Value. 

That productive defensive season has Suzuki listed as a National League Gold Glove finalist in right field. He has a decent chance to win his first career Gold Glove as well since he led all National League defenders in defensive runs saved (14) and Fielding Run Value (8).  

However, his back-to-back strong seasons do not bode well for the Cubs. It’s growing increasingly likely that Suzuki will find a new home this offseason after spending his first five seasons in Chicago. 

“The sense is that Suzuki, 32, will command contract offers beyond Chicago’s comfort zone, given its acute pitching needs and previous investments in four position players, deals valued at more than $600 million combined,” Patrick Mooney of The Athletic wrote. 

It sounds like the Cubs might not be willing to pay Suzuki a big amount of money, since Dansby Swanson ($177 million), Alex Bregman ($175 million), Nico Hoerner ($141 million), and Pete Crow-Armstrong ($105 million) all have big contracts on the books. 

While the Cubs are expected to extend the qualifying offer to Suzuki in the next few weeks, it would be quite a surprise to see the slugger accept it. He is set to receive a big payday this offseason in what is considered a weak free-agent class.