Cubs Could Be Forced To Trade $85M Star Amid Disappointing Season
The Chicago Cubs could be forced to make some tough decisions ahead of the August 3 MLB Trade Deadline.
Chicago entered the season with not just expectations of winning the NL Central, but also competing for a World Series. The Cubs signed Alex Bregman to bolster the roster, but Chicago has started the season off slowly, in large part due to the injuries to their starting rotation.
The Cubs dropped the first two games of their road series to the Colorado Rockies to fall to 34-34 and are now in fourth place in the NL Central. Amid the disappointing start, Chicago could be sellers ahead of the trade deadline.
If Chicago does become sellers, one of the most sought-after pieces would be outfielder Seiya Suzuki. The 31-year-old Japanese slugger is in the final year of his five-year, $85 million deal with the Cubs, so Chicago could look to trade him to recoup a prospect or two.
Suzuki would be sought after by several playoff-bound teams as he can be a middle-of-the-order bat who can add some much-needed power. His defense is also passable in the corner outfield spots.
Suzuki is hitting .247 with nine home runs and 22 RBIs this season, while last season, he had 32 home runs and 103 RBIs, showing there is more power in the bat.
More MLB:
- Will The Athletics Become AL's Version Of The Rockies?
- Brandon Valenzuela Making Blue Jays' Tough Roster Decision Easy
- James Wood is one adjustment away from being the best hitter in MLB
- Even President Trump Wants An MLB Salary Cap
- Padres' Manny Machado picks bad time to tell the truth
Although the Cubs likely envisioned Suzuki being a key part of their success this season, if Chicago can't turn its season around in June and July, he could very well be on the move, as holding him on for nothing doesn't make sense.
However, the Cubs have the talent on their roster to go on a run and get hot, but it will have to come soon, amid their pitching injuries.
Currently, Chicago is 1.5 games back of a Wild Card spot, but needs to leapfrog four teams in the process to get into a playoff spot.
Cubs Could Be Surprise Sellers At Trade Deadline
Suzuki's name coming up in trade rumors isn't a surprise, according to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Rosenthal reported on June 11 that Suzuki's name came up in trade rumors last season, and he expects him to be one of the most sought-after right-handed bats ahead of the trade deadline again.
"Quality right-handed bats will have immense value at the trade deadline," Rosenthal wrote. "And the Chicago Cubs, a team arguably in need of a shakeup, feature a righty hitter other teams might covet: Right fielder Seiya Suzuki. The Cubs drew trade interest in Suzuki last offseason, in part, because so few right-handed hitters were available."
Although the Cubs could be sellers, Rosenthal believes Chicago could use Suzuki in a trade to acquire pitching.
"Perhaps Suzuki could bring back a starting pitcher who also is a potential free agent, helping the club fill a more dire need," Rosenthal added. "If the Cubs keep Suzuki and he departs as a free agent, they would receive only a draft pick as compensation, assuming they made him a qualifying offer. A trade could yield considerably more value, particularly if the Cubs included cash to pay down part of Suzuki's remaining salary, which at the deadline will be less than $6 million."
Yet, for now, Suzuki is still a member of the Cubs and will be a key part of their roster in hopes of getting back on track and getting into a playoff spot.
Related: Why The Cubs Stink, And What History Says Happens Next
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 8:09 AM.