The Chicago Cubs have already had quite an interesting offseason, led by the blockbuster trade of Cody Bellinger and the acquisition of Kyle Tucker. But Chicago could still make more moves. Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer expects the Cubs to trade outfielder Seiya Suzuki despite already moving Bellinger. Rymer predicts Chicago will trade him to the Detroit Tigers in a package led by first baseman Spencer Torkelson.
Here’s the deal pitched by Rymer which would send Suzuki to the Tigers: Detroit Tigers receive: OF Seiya Suzuki Chicago Cubs receive: 1B Spencer Torkelson, SS Bryce Rainer (No. 4 prospect) “They’re starting to creep into the free-agent market, with Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press linking them to Alex Bregman and Anthony Santander,” Rymer wrote. “Which is good, but the problem is that only one of those guys is a full-time right-handed hitter. Here’s why this matters: In terms of total run value, the Tigers got +27 from the left side and -63 from the right side in 2024.
“One of those things is not like the other. Suzuki is among the best solutions for the Tigers on the trade market, and they have the prospects to chip away at whatever reluctance the Cubs have to move him. Detroit’s system is No. 3 in all of MLB.”
Torkelson alone would be a big enough return for the Cubs to consider the offer. It would allow Chicago to move Michael Busch to third base to replace Isaac Paredes. Alongside Torkelson, the Cubs receive a very talented shortstop prospect from one of the best farm systems in baseball.
The Tigers desperately need right-handed hitters and Suzuki would be the solution to that problem. Detroit could likely acquire him for a bit less than this trade package, though.