Seiya Suzuki, the veteran outfielder who just crushed it with a 131 OPS+ for the Chicago Cubs this season, is reportedly staying put in the Windy City. That’s the word from Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, who is predicting the Cubs will lock down their fan-favorite on a multi-year deal. Even after a tough NL Wild Card exit, this news should have Cubs fans feeling pretty good about what’s coming next.
Joel Reuter Just Dropped the Verdict on Chicago’s OF Dilemma
The big question mark hanging over the Cubs’ offseason has been what to do with their two beloved outfielders, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, both hitting the open market. It’s a tough spot, because Reuter made it clear that keeping both guys is gonna be super difficult unless Happ takes a discount. The smart money, according to Reuter, is on the Cubs bringing back one of them for the long haul. And he’s betting big on Suzuki.
Why Suzuki? Reuter nails it, saying, “With a 131 OPS+ and 26 home runs in a 5.1-WAR season, Suzuki looks like the hardest to replace, given the lack of impact bats on the market.” That’s the cold, hard truth. Losing both Suzuki and Happ in one offseason? That’d be a gut punch too deep for any team to recover from easily. So, keeping at least one of these power bats is crucial, and Suzuki, coming off an absolute monster year, is clearly the top choice.
Those 2026 Numbers Don’t Lie, Suzuki Earned It
You wanna know why the Cubs *have* to keep Suzuki? Just look at what the 32-year-old put on the field in 2026. He posted a ridiculous 5.1 bWAR over 143 games, which was, get this, the best year of his five seasons with the Cubs in the Majors. Yeah, you read that right. He smacked 26 homers, pushing him past the 100-homer mark for his big league career, and drove in 86 RBIs while batting a solid .270 with an .841 OPS.
While his offensive numbers might not have been his *absolute* career best in every single category, Reuter emphasized that Suzuki’s defensive production and his overall impact for the Cubs were far greater than in any of his previous seasons. That’s the kind of all-around veteran presence you just can’t let walk away. He meant that much to the team in 2026, and his return means even more for their future.
The Cubs might have bowed out in the Wild Card round, but locking down a talent like Suzuki, especially after the season he just had, gives them a serious shot at bouncing back. With Pete Crow-Armstrong projected for MVP, keeping your veteran bats like Suzuki is how you build a winner. Get ready, Chicago, because it looks like Suzuki isn’t going anywhere!
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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