Another Intriguing Outfield Trade Candidate For The Phillies Has Emerged

Managing Editor

Friday, December 6, 2024

Aug 23, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports Sam Navarro

The Chicago Cubs have a trade candidate that could make sense for the Phillies as they try to find another outfielder, and it's not Cody Bellinger.

Joel Sherman of The New York Post wrote Thursday that the Cubs are looking to trade one of two veterans in their crowded outfield — Bellinger or Seiya Suzuki.

“The Cubs are determined to trade either Bellinger (due $27.5 million in 2025 with a $25 million player option in 2026 or $5 million buyout), or Seiya Suzuki (two years at $36 million) to reallocate that money elsewhere, a source familiar with Chicago’s thinking told The Post.”

Bellinger would be another left-handed hitter in the lineup for the Phillies, has had wild variances in performance over the course of his career and is owed $52.5 million over the next two seasons, unless he exercises his opt-out clause after the 2025 season. If he opts out after 2025, Bellinger would be owed a $5 million buyout and wouldn't be eligible for a qualifying offer since he's already received one.

Suzuki, though, is interesting because he could be the everyday left fielder, assuming Nick Castellanos plays out the final two years of his contract as a Phillie in right field.

The Cubs signed Suzuki to a five-year/$85 million deal when he came to the majors prior to the 2022 season. Suzuki hasn't necessarily been a superstar with the Cubs, but he's been very solid. He's coming off of a season where he hit .283 with 21 home runs, 73 RBIs and an .848 OPS. He did strike out 160 times in 132 games, but that feels like a bit of an outlier considering he struck out 130 times over 138 games in 2023.

Seiya Suzuki’s 115 MPH home run last night was the hardest hit ball of his MLB career 🔥

(MLBStats x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/QELWvRojZN
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) April 3, 2024

So why would the Cubs be willing to trade Suzuki? They have Pete Crow-Armstrong cemented in center field and Ian Happ in left field. Chicago would probably prefer to trade Bellinger, but Bruce Levine of 670 The Score said Thursday that while the former NL MVP is drawing some interest, the Cubs "don't seem willing to eat money in a trade, nor do they intend to just give him away." Well good luck with that strategy.

Suzuki might prove to be the more tradable of the two. The 30-year-old is owed $38 million over the next two seasons. He does have a no-trade clause that the Phillies or any interested suitor would have to work around. But if he isn't guaranteed to get everyday at-bats in a crowded Cubs outfield, perhaps he'll be willing to waive that.

It's also no secret that the Phillies haven't done well in courting Japanese talent. Tadahito Iguchi and So Taguchi — both of whom are now in their 50s — are the only Japanese players to ever play for the Phillies. A Japanese-born player has never started their MLB career with the Phillies. Suzuki wouldn't change that, but having a Japanese player as part of what could be some really good teams the next two seasons could help to expand the Phillies brand in Japan. That wouldn't be the reason to trade for Suzuki, but could be an added benefit.