The Chicago Cubs are looking more and more like a team preparing for life without Seiya Suzuki.
That possibility has been hanging over the offseason for a while, but the latest signs are hard to ignore. Suzuki posted on Instagram Wednesday to thank Cubs fans for their unwavering support, and while it stopped short of an official farewell, it sure sounded like one.
Add that to The Athletic’s reporting earlier this week that a return for Suzuki - or for Ian Happ - does not appear likely, and the picture gets even clearer. Shahadev Sharma even described a reunion with Happ as the more probable outcome of the two.
The market is already doing its part to push Suzuki away. Recent and ongoing interest from the Blue Jays, Padres, and Mariners has helped drive up what his next contract could look like, and that kind of attention makes this a tougher call for Chicago.
It’s not hard to see why the Cubs may be hesitant to make a major commitment to a position player right now. They spent big on Alex Bregman just last offseason, and the roster still has some glaring needs on the pitching side. By the look of it, Chicago may need three starting pitchers this winter, plus a couple of additions to the bullpen.
There’s also the matter of where the Cubs stand in the bigger spending picture. Rumors have already taken them out of the Tarik Skubal chase, and while they could still be involved with starters in the next tier, Michael King hasn’t been strongly linked to them yet. So if Chicago isn’t planning to go all-in on a frontline arm, the argument for keeping one of its best bats gets a lot stronger.
Suzuki was a huge part of why the Cubs ranked among baseball’s better offenses this season. He hit .270 with an .841 OPS and 26 home runs in 143 games, finished third on the club with 86 RBIs and 81 walks, and made major strides defensively in right field, where he showed Gold Glove-caliber improvement.
That’s why this potential split is going to sting for plenty of fans. There is a case for the Cubs wanting a more balanced roster, and there is a world where letting Suzuki walk makes sense. But the ease with which that decision seems to be taking shape is what makes it so hard to swallow.
Chicago has shown a willingness to spend, both in free agency and through trades, but that won’t mean much if Jed Hoyer and the front office ease off now. This is a team built to win now, and that usually means acting like it.
Instead, the Cubs have too often followed the same offseason script: the outside world sees a contender with the resources to chase a top free agent, while the organization seems to prefer a more cautious path. At times, it feels like they want to prove they can outsmart the market by avoiding the biggest names. Maybe that approach eventually pays off, but after the way things fizzled out in 2026, it’s a tough sell.
Sometimes the simplest move is the right one. The Cubs have the money and the brand to go toe-to-toe with any big-market club. Whether they finally lean into that in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but for now, the early signs point to them staying in the middle seat.
In Other News...
Cubs Could Revisit A Familiar Rotation Move This Winter
Jed Hoyers winter pitching plan appears to be taking shape, and it does not sound like the Cubs are preparing to chase the biggest name on the market. Instead, Chicago is expected to look for starting pitchers who come at a more manageable price, with an eye toward arms that either miss bats or keep the ball on the ground. It is the kind of practical approach that fits the way the front office has operated, especially with the rotation still needing stability heading into next season.
One familiar option could be Shota Imanaga, who spent his entire MLB career with the Cubs and accepted a qualifying offer for 2026. The left-hander turned in a solid 2025 season, but the Cubs did not use him in their playoff games, and there are still some concerns about his home run issues. Even so, he remains a possible fit if the price is right, though Chicago seems wary of going too far to bring him back. [Read more 🡒]
Ben Brown News Just Made The Cubs Rotation Problem Even Worse
Ben Browns offseason took another turn when the Cubs right-hander underwent a procedure to address the recurring neck issue that cut short his 2024 season. The surgery pushes back the start of his throwing program, but the organization is treating it as a step toward getting him fully right rather than a setback that changes the long-term outlook.
Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said the team opted for surgery with the goal of helping Brown recover completely, and the expectation is that he should be ready to pitch early in the 2027 season. For a rotation that already has plenty to sort through, losing any time from a pitcher the Cubs were hoping to count on only adds to the uncertainty heading into the year. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Trade Debate Starts With One Tempting Move Hoyer Should Avoid
The Cubs are headed into the GM Meetings with the same familiar shopping list: help for the starting rotation and another bat in the outfield. Any serious trade discussion around Chicago has to start with those needs, and the early speculation is already circling a few big names that would force Jed Hoyer to weigh upside against cost. Nathan Eovaldi, CJ Abrams and Spencer Strider each represent a different kind of swing, with varying levels of fit and risk for a club trying to stay competitive without emptying the cupboard.
Of the ideas being kicked around, the one tied to Strider is the kind of temptation that can quickly become a trap if the price climbs too high. Chicago can use impact, but it also has to be careful not to chase the loudest name simply because the rotation needs a jolt. The Cubs will have options to explore in the coming days, and the real challenge is figuring out which path actually improves the club without creating a bigger problem somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]