Carson Kelly, Seiya Suzuki absence vs Yankees adds curiosity to looming Mariners-Cubs rumor

Carson Kelly and Seiya Suzuki are not in the Chicago Cubs' starting lineup against the New York Yankees on Friday afternoon, and with the trade deadline on Monday, that is going to lead to instant speculation about the future of each player.

It's become no secret that the Cubs have cast a wide net in their search for pitching before the deadline, and that has led to both Kelly and Suzuki popping up in trade rumors. This is the weekend that a player's absence could be tied to escalating trade talks, and for Suzuki, he was mentioned in trade rumors as recently as this morning.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that the Cubs are among the teams interested in Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emmerson Hancock, and could be positioned to land the controllable starting pitcher for a package that includes both Suzuki and former first-round pick Matt Shaw.

Cubs' series against Yankees starts with renewed Seiya Suzuki trade rumors

The important caveat is that this wasn't Nightengale reporting that this is a current offer on the table, just the sense from rival executive. Which, along those lines, if the Cubs offered a package to the Mariners that included Suzuki and Shaw, that should put them in the driver's seat for Hancock.

First and foremost, it must be reminded that Suzuki has a full no-trade clause. By most accounts, he has finally become comfortable in his relationship with the Cubs. For that reason alone, it's hard to imagine Suzuki being traded. Setting that to the side, Suzuki, outside of Pete Crow-Armstrong, is the most important bat in the Cubs' starting lineup. It's hard to imagine the Cubs getting where they want to be in October without having Suzuki in the lineup or a suitable replacement.

Along those lines, wrist injury aside, Shaw remains in line to be a replacement for Suzuki next season. The Cubs undoubtedly would like to add a controllable starting pitcher before Monday, but chances are they aren't that willing to include Shaw in trade talks.

As for Kelly, who is suddenly on the radar of teams in need of catching, his day off is likely to the fact that the Cubs are in the middle of a 17-game stretch without an off day. Not to mention, Thursday was a travel day after Kelly was the catcher for an extra-inning victory over the Cardinals. If we had to guess, this likely is a true off day for the veteran catcher and not an absence tied to a potential trade.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow