The MLB lockout bringing free agency and other business to a halt heavily impacted Seiya Suzuki, who had been posted by the Hiroshima Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) on Nov. 22.
That began a timeline of 30 days for the Japanese slugger to negotiate with MLB teams and sign a contract to make the jump from the NPB. However, the lockout paused the process until a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was put into place.
It left Suzuki with roughly three weeks to make a decision. His market has reportedly included interest from the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners.
With Spring Training camps underway, it was reported Suzuki agreed to sign with the San Diego Padres. But according to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, Suzuki remains a free agent and is still deciding between more than a handful of teams:
Seiya Suzuki hasn’t chosen a team yet, I’m told. 6 to 7 teams still under consideration.
— Dylan Hernández (@dylanohernandez) March 14, 2022
Per Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Cubs, Red Sox and Mariners are still pursuing the 27-year-old:
While the Padres are in hard on all-around OF talent Seiya Suzuki, word is all these teams remain in the running: Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants, Mariners, Cubs, more.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 14, 2022
Last month the Giants and Mariners were identified as the frontrunners to sign Suzuki. Seattle has more recently been connected to Kris Bryant, who may be unlikely to re-sign with the Giants and in turn that could further fuel their interest in Suzuki.
Suzuki set career highs with 38 home runs and a 1.079 on-base plus slugging percentage last season, and in nine years playing in NPB, hit .315/.415/.571 while making five All-Star teams.
The Dodgers’ interest presumably is tied to a universal designated hitter officially being implemented as part of the new CBA. Suzuki could also spell AJ Pollock in left field, though Chris Taylor figures to see playing time there as well.
Cost and fee to sign Suzuki
Per the posting agreement between MLB and NPB, the Carp would be due a release fee that amounts to 20% of the first $25 million from a contract Suzuki signs. Should the total value exceed that threshold, the Carp would receive an additional $17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% for any total that surpasses $50 million.
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