Latest Craig Counsell comments clarify the Cubs' messy Seiya Suzuki DH situation

Over the course of a day, the possibility of a Seiya Suzuki trade has become very real and very messy for the Chicago Cubs. Reports came out on Tuesday that Jed Hoyer had shared a list of teams interested in the right fielder with his agent, Joel Wolfe, and that Suzuki would also be open to having a conversation about waiving his no-trade clause. It's still not particularly likely to happen, especially as Wolfe himself has indicated Hoyer doesn't necessarily want to make the move, but it's now something to keep on our radar.

In the talk of moving him, however, Wolfe also opened up to ESPN's Jesse Rogers about Suzuki's unwillingness to be a full-time designated hitter. Though the Cubs ultimately ended up using him more at DH as 2024 went on, he had a reputation for being a sterling, Golden Glove-winning defender in Japan and he was signed with the promise of roaming right at Wrigley. He hasn't lived up to those expectations though, with -3 Outs Above Average last year and similarly poor marks by that metric in previous seasons. That all led to Craig Counsell's decision to play Cody Bellinger in right field more frequently and lean on Suzuki's bat in the interest of giving the Cubs the best chance at winning.

Naturally, then, when Counsell was addressed at the Winter Meetings about the reports, he defended the arrangement. He simply did what made the most sense at the time given the Cubs' setup, with Pete Crow-Armstrong roaming center and Bellinger bringing his own Gold Glove resume to right. It was a success for Suzuki too - he posted a .906 OPS in 135 plate appearances as a DH down the stretch. In 2025, Counsell will continue to do what seems logical based on what happens in the offseason. More than anything, he just wants to keep options open for how to manage the team and Suzuki specifically going forward.

What's clear is that everybody is being put in an awkward spot right now because of the front office's decision to even explore a trade for Suzuki. The best Counsell can do is say that he's going to do his job even if it comes to some tough conversations because of moves made. Chances are, Suzuki will be back in right field next year considering the likelihood of a Bellinger trade keeps trending upward. If that falls through or the Cubs get a dream scenario and add, say, Kyle Tucker, they'll cross that bridge with Suzuki when they come to it. He's just too valuable to them to give up.

The Cubs will make any move to improve the team, but Suzuki is unlikely to be traded

Speaking to that value, Carter Hawkins came out to downplay the likelihood of a trade because of how Suzuki fits in Chicago. It's a stance the Cubs have taken before - they're willing to listen on anyone and everyone if it makes the team better, but it would likely take a Godfather offer to give up their best hitter. They're also undoubtedly unhappy that this became as much of a public discussion as it did.

Even if his unwillingness to be a full-time DH slightly complicates things, there's no denying Suzuki is the exact kind of player the Cubs need right now. He's coming off his best offensive season yet, mashing .283/.362/.488. Furthermore, his 138 wRC+ from 2024 was good for 16th best in baseball, ahead of guys like Francisco Lindor, Freddie Freeman, and Rafael Devers. Trading him when the Cubs already need another big bat in the lineup is counterproductive, not to mention detrimental to their efforts at building a relationship with Japanese players like the incoming Roki Sasaki.