The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million deal last offseason. He ended up having a career year and is now looking for a longer deal. He has noted that his top choice is the Dodgers, but the two sides have yet to come to an agreement.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal has noted that Hernández is looking for a three-year deal between $66 million and $72 million. While the Dodgers have not yet met his demands, they are exploring replacement options. According to Rosenthal, one of those options includes Chicago Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki.
Suzuki, 30, signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Cubs in 2022. After trading for Kyle Tucker, the Cubs may see Suzuki as more of a designated hitter than an outfielder. Suzuki’s agent Joel Wolfe has noted that he does not wish to be a full-time DH, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
With the Cubs’ crowded outfield and the Dodgers’ potential need to replace Hernández, here is a trade that could bring Suzuki to Los Angeles:
Dodgers receive: outfielder Seiya Suzuki
Cubs receive: catcher Diego Cartaya (No. 16 prospect) and right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller
Suzuki does not bring quite the same power Hernández brought to the Dodgers, but he would be significantly cheaper. Hernández slugged 33 home runs during his All-Star season in 2024. Suzuki hit a career-high 21 home runs last season and has 55 home runs since coming to Major League Baseball from Nippon Professional Baseball.
The Dodgers would not be willing to give up their top prospect Dalton Rushing, who has the ability to play catcher and in the outfield. However, Cartaya is their second-best catching prospect. The 23-year-old reached Triple-A last season and could end up being the catcher the Cubs are looking for.
The Cubs have Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly under contract for 2025. Cartaya has the potential to provide depth and potentially become the catcher for the future. Additionally, Miller would get a fresh start in Chicago. He had a great rookie season with the Dodgers, pitching to a 3.76 ERA. However, last season he had an 8.52 ERA in 13 starts.
