Seiya Suzuki is the biggest power threat on the MLB free agent market this winter. He just turned 32 and comes off what may have been his best all-around season in his career. The Chicago Cubs have a chance to keep him, but the math points elsewhere. Cincinnati needs a right fielder badly. The Reds finished last in the league in hits and on-base percentage last season.
It makes zero sense for the Cubs to hold onto him if they cannot fix their own holes. The team’s offense struggled, and the front office knows it. Jed Hoyer acknowledged the need for a good offseason at his end-of-season press conference. He noted the team would have to be creative to fill a number of holes. But can they outbid a desperate Cincinnati team that finished 27th in runs and 25th in slugging percentage?
The Reds Need a Fix Now
Cincinnati’s outfield was a mess in 2026. They had trouble getting consistent production from their outfielders and offense in general. He is now a free agent, The move leaves a massive gap, and Suzuki is expected to become Cincinnati’s starting right fielder, adding experience and power.
Suzuki offers a respectable defensive presence in right field and a potent threat from the right side of the plate. He played 110 games as a starter and 111 total in right field last season. His numbers were elite. The Reds finished with a low hit total, a number that screams for a change.
A Lockout Looms
The clock is ticking on this entire free agent class. Dec. 1, CHGO Sports notes that a lockout is anticipated to start that night. Teams must move fast to sign players before the league shuts down. The Cubs might try to keep their star, but the fit in Cincinnati is too good to ignore. Before 2026, Suzuki was the Chicago Cubs’ starting designated hitter in 2025. He proved he can handle the DH role while playing the field.
There is a chance Cincinnati might want Héctor RodrÃguez to be their starting right fielder. If RodrÃguez is the starter, Suzuki would start the season as a designated hitter. The need for a bat is clear. The Reds have to address their lack of offense. CHGO Sports reports that a lockout is anticipated to start on the night of Dec. 1.
