MESA, Ariz. – Less than 48 hours after the Cubs brass met with Seiya Suzuki’s camp, the Japanese star had made his decision. He was going to Chicago.
Suzuki reportedly agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract with the Cubs. The Athletic was the first to report the terms of the deal, which is pending a physical, on Wednesday morning. The Cubs will also pay $14,625,000 as a posting fee to the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan’s Central League, according to the Associated Press.
Cubs manager David Ross declined to talk about the signing Wednesday afternoon because it was not yet official.
“The rumors are exciting, right?” he said. “All that stuff is good to see and hear. … The player has a unique skill set that is valued in Major League Baseball, and a lot of teams are after him, so the fact that our name is on the top of the rumor mill, that’s exciting.”
Suzuki adds power to a lineup that has mostly brought in contact hitting since last summer’s trade deadline selloff. The outfielder was a five-time All-Star with the Carp and last year hit .317 with 38 home runs and 88 RBIs in 132 games.
He isn’t expected to replicate those numbers as he transitions to Major League Baseball, but the pop in his bat is clear.
The Cubs met with Suzuki and his representation Monday, a Sun-Times source confirmed. Their competition was stiff, with the Padres, Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants and Mariners reportedly also vying for Suzuki’s commitment.
