With the Los Angeles Dodgers and Teoscar Hernández seemingly at an impasse in negotiations, they have reportedly begun to explore other right-handed hitting position players.
A recent report suggested the team has interest in San Diego Padres free agent Ha-Seong Kim, Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. and Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs.
Suzuki is under contract through the 2026 season and presumably would waive his no-trade clause for a chance to join a contender.
However, the Cubs have no plans to trade Suzuki, via Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
The Cubs, according to a source briefed on the club’s thinking, are not inclined to trade Suzuki even after acquiring right fielder Kyle Tucker.
There was some thought that the Cubs would be open to trading Suzuki after they acquired Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster deal with the Houston Astros.
The addition of Tucker has likely pushed Suzuki to the designated hitter spot, and he is said to have a personal desire to remain in the outfield.
Suzuki would have a clear path to the starting right field job with the Dodgers. In that scenario, Andy Pages would form a platoon with either Michael Conforto or Tommy Edman in one of the other outfield spots.
If traded to the Dodgers, Suzuki would also get an opportunity to play with fellow Japanese natives Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Seiya Suzuki’s MLB stats
The Cubs signed Suzuki to a five-year, $85 million contract prior to the 2022 season. He is coming off a career year in which he batted .283/.366/.482 with 27 doubles, six triples, 21 home runs, 73 RBI and 16 stolen bases across 132 games.
Over parts of three MLB campaigns, Suzuki has hit .278/.354/.470 with 80 doubles, 14 triples, 55 home runs and 193 RBI in 381 games.
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