Cubs Likely to Trade $85 Million Outfielder to AL Contender
The Chicago Cubs have made waves this offseason, highlighted by their high-profile trade of Cody Bellinger and the acquisition of Kyle Tucker. However, there may be further moves on the horizon for the team. According to Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer, the Cubs could be looking to trade outfielder Seiya Suzuki, despite already parting ways with Bellinger. Rymer suggests that Suzuki could be traded to the Detroit Tigers, with a package headlined by first baseman Spencer Torkelson in return. The proposed deal would see the Tigers receive Suzuki, while the Cubs would land Torkelson and highly regarded shortstop prospect Bryce Rainer, who is ranked as the Tigers’ No. 4 prospect.
Rymer also points out that the Tigers are becoming more active in the free-agent market, with reports linking them to big names like Alex Bregman and Anthony Santander. However, Rymer notes that Detroit’s need for right-handed hitters is critical. In the 2024 season, the Tigers saw a significant disparity in offensive production: +27 run value from the left side of the plate, but a concerning -63 run value from the right side. Given this imbalance, Suzuki, a right-handed hitter, could provide a solution to this issue, and Detroit has the prospect capital to persuade the Cubs to part with him.
For the Cubs, a trade like this could be appealing, as Torkelson alone would offer significant value. It would give the Cubs the flexibility to shift Michael Busch to third base, replacing Isaac Paredes. Additionally, by acquiring Rainer, the Cubs would add a top-tier shortstop prospect to their already strong farm system. While the Tigers could potentially secure Suzuki for a slightly lower package, the combination of Torkelson and Rainer represents a strong return for the Cubs, strengthening their roster both now and for the future.