Chicago Cubs News: Seiya Suzuki mystery, Marcus Stroman contract update, and more

Chicago Cubs v San Francisco Giants
Chicago Cubs v San Francisco Giants / Ezra Shaw/GettyImages
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Uncertainty surrounding status of Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki

Chicago Cubs starting right fielder Seiya Suzuki missed the final two games of the team's weekend series against the San Francisco Giants and manager David Ross hasn't provided concrete details into what is ailing the team's outfielder.

The Cubs are off on Monday before returning to Wrigley Field on Tuesday night to host the Pittsburgh Pirates. For the Cubs, the trend would be for the team to place Suzuki on the Injured List on Tuesday. It is a trend that the team has followed with previous injuries this season to starting second baseman Nco Hoerner and starting center fielder Cody Bellinger..

Chicago Cubs plan to discuss possible contract extension with Marcus Stroman

The talk over the weekend was the status update that Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman provided on discussions regarding a possible contract extension with the team. Stroman put the onus on the Cubs' front office in stating that the team has not been willing to meet regarding a potential extension and that has created awkwardness for the team as they head into the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline season.

Bob Nightengale of The USA Today provided more to the story on Sunday as he reported that the team does plan to meet with Stroman regarding a potential contract extension before the Trade Deadline on August 1.

"Stroman is virtually begging the Cubs to sit down at the negotiating table, but the Cubs have yet to engage. That will change. The Cubs plan to talk to him before Aug. 1 to see how much money he’s seeking. If they can’t reach an agreement, they’ll have no choice but to trade him knowing that teams will be clamoring for him at the trade deadline."

Bob Nightengale via The USA Today

The best possible outcome for the Cubs would be to extend Stroman but if the team pushes back against the starting pitcher's asking price, then a trade is inevitable. The fact that the Cubs' front office has even allowed it to reach this point is an indictment in itself.

Important stretch of games for the Chicago Cubs

For the Chicago Cubs, 8 of their next 11 games are against National League Central opponents as they have six games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and two games against the St. Louis Cardinals (London Series). If the Cubs truly want to avoid being sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline, then the team has to fare well in those games against the Pirates and Cardinals. If they falter as they have over the past month and a half, then their fate at the deadline will be sealed.

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