Cubs extend qualifying offer to free-agent headliner Suzuki
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CHICAGO – It took time as Seiya Suzuki adjusted to life in the Major Leagues, but the Cubs outfielder eventually grew into one of the more consistent right-handed power threats in baseball over the past few years. He now has a chance to see how other teams value him on the free-agent market.
On Monday, the Cubs took the necessary step of offering him a one-year qualifying offer before Suzuki explores his options as one of the best bats available this offseason. The deal is valued at $23.15 million for next season, but also ensures that Chicago will at least net some Draft-pick compensation if Suzuki signs elsewhere.
Suzuki is one in a long list of free agents for the Cubs this offseason.
“We can’t retain everyone,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said at the end of the season. “The team’s going to look and feel different next year. In a lot of ways, that’s a good thing. But I do want to emphasize that we have a lot of good players who are going to be free agents, and we’ll be in touch.”
Suzuki will have until 3 p.m. CT on Nov. 17 to either accept or decline the one-year offer. The other seven players around MLB to receive a QO this year are Randy Arozarena (Mariners), Jake Bauers (Brewers), David Bednar (Yankees), Ryan Jeffers (Twins), Brandon Lowe (Pirates), Adrian Morejon (Padres) and Trevor Rogers (Orioles).
Historically, only 18 of 157 players offered a QO in previous offseasons have accepted the one-year deal. That includes lefty Shota Imanaga, who agreed to the qualifying offer last offseason with the Cubs. This time around, lefty Matthew Boyd and outfielder Ian Happ also looked like candidates for a QO, but Chicago only took that approach with Suzuki.
Suzuki, Boyd, Happ and Imanaga head a group of free agents for the Cubs that also includes catcher Carson Kelly and starters Clay Holmes, Kevin Gausman and David Peterson. Outfielders Tyrone Taylor and Michael Conforto are also on the list, as well as righties Colin Rea, Aaron Civale, Trent Thornton and Hunter Harvey, plus lefty Caleb Thielbar.
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The Cubs originally signed the 32-year-old Suzuki out of Japan via a five-year, $85 million deal that was worth nearly $100 million in total (including the posting fee). He went on to hit .269/.351/.472 with 113 homers, 142 doubles, 316 walks, 374 runs and 382 RBIs in 675 games for Chicago.
This past season, Suzuki hit .270 with 26 homers, 31 doubles, 86 RBIs and an .841 OPS, while drawing a career-high 81 walks. He also posted a +7 fielding run value with +5 outs above average, per Statcast, after being in the negative in both categories for his career heading into the ‘26 season.
After the Cubs were eliminated from the postseason in San Diego, Suzuki spoke highly of his time with the organization.
“My first time being in the U.S., it was with Chicago,” Suzuki said via his interpreter, Edwin Stanberry. “Just being with the teammates, with the supportive staff, everybody around me that helped me, I enjoyed that. And also with playing at Wrigley, and the fans. They are so passionate. I was really hoping that we could go back to Wrigley and play in front of them.
“But there’s so many good memories. My family, they love Chicago. But with free agency, that’s something new for me. And I think there’s a lot of processes involved with that. So I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”