Red Sox emerge as Seiya Suzuki suitor with a familiar Cubs connection

With Seiya Suzuki positioned as one of the best position players available on the free-agent market this offseason, the expectation is that the Chicago Cubs won't engage in a bidding war to retain the veteran outfielder. The Toronto Blue Jays are one team expected to pursue Suzuki this winter, and another team from the American League East may also be joining the chase.

Mass Live's Chris Cotillo reports that the Boston Red Sox are "big fans" of Suzuki, and also remembered back to when Boston was in the mix for Suzuki before he signed with the Cubs ahead of the 2022 season.

While the Red Sox have had a gluttony of outfielders over the past two years, there's an expectation that this will be the offseason that the team moves on from Jarren Duran. While Duran is expected to be tendered a contract this offseason, the Red Sox are expected to shop him.

Red Sox and Seiya Suzuki are linked by a connection Cubs know well

It wouldn't take a rocket scientist to determine who within the Red Sox's front office is a big fan of Suzuki. Craig Breslow was in the Cubs' front office when Suzuki was signed in 2022. With Breslow now running the Red Sox's baseball operations, it would be fair to suggest that he is one of those in the Red Sox's front office that is a big fan of Suzuki.

Reality should start to settle in for Cubs fans. Throughout the regular season, it was clear that Suzuki was positioning himself to be priced near the top of the market for position players this offseason, and with news of both the Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox expected to take part in his sweepstakes, the bidding almost certainly will top his market value.

For the Cubs, the question that remains is how will the team replace Suzuki. Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramirez are expected to get increased runway in the outfield in 2027, but just handing either player a full-time starting role would be a mistake for a team expected to contend. Not to mention, a team that is still chasing the Milwaukee Brewers, and the margin isn't particularly close.

The easiest solution would be for the Cubs to just step outside of their comfort zone this offseason and sign Suzuki while still having their focus on pitching. Instead, it would seem likely there is a stopgap veteran added while the team waits for Josiah Hartshorn and Kane Kepley to arrive.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow