The Chicago Cubs just had a brutal early exit from the 2026 postseason, getting bounced from the Wild Card Series in two games by the San Diego Padres. Now, as the offseason kicks off, things are getting even wilder in the Windy City, with star outfielder Seiya Suzuki looking all but gone from the Cubs’ roster. This could reshape a serious part of the league as teams start lining up for his services.
Suzuki’s Bat is on Fire, and Teams Are Noticing
Suzuki had another absolutely standout season at the plate, showing everyone why he’s one of the top bats in the game. The dude smashed 26 home runs, drove in 86 RBIs, and rocked a killer 131 OPS+. We’re talking about his fourth straight year with 20 or more dingers and an OPS north of .804, including that eye-popping .841 OPS from this past season. He’s been consistently elite, and that kind of production doesn’t come cheap. The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon is already reporting serious interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, meaning a bidding war is about to ignite, and it’s going to be fierce.
Cubs’ Pitching Woes Force a Tough Choice
So why would the Cubs let a talent like Suzuki walk? Simple: their pitching staff got absolutely wrecked by injuries this year. Bleacher Report’s Erik Beaston laid it out perfectly: “They need pitching, especially with Cade Horton, Justin Steele, Ben Brown, and Edward Cabrera all missing significant time this past season. The team needs to bolster their starting rotation and probably could use an arm or two in the bullpen, too.” With Ian Happ also hitting free agency, Chicago’s priority is clear. The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney and Shahadev Sharma basically said what everyone’s thinking: a reunion between Suzuki and the Cubs is “unlikely.” They even went further, stating, “Considering their pitching deficit, it’s unlikely that the Cubs will get into a bidding war for (Seiya) Suzuki’s services, let alone win one.” It’s a tough pill for Cubs fans, but when your rotation is falling apart, you gotta make moves.
This offseason, Suzuki is gonna command a sizeable contract in free agency, and it looks like the Cubs just won’t be in the running for his services. It’s all about pitching for them. Keep an eye on where Suzuki lands, because that team is getting a serious power bat. And hey, speaking of big news, our very own Mariners’ Josh Naylor just joined Hall of Famer George Sisler with some rare stolen base MLB history. Yeah, you heard that right, a Mariner making history! Can’t wait to see what else this offseason brings, both here in the Emerald City and across the league.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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