Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki trade rumors have more layers than you think

The Chicago Cubs were one of the best teams in baseball over the first month and change of the 2026 MLB campaign, boasting a 27-12 record and a pair of 10-game winning streaks. Since then, however, the Cubs have gone just 13-25, and their trade deadline plans are up in the air.

While it still seems relatively likely that Chicago — which is still smack dab in the National League playoff picture in spite of a brutal stretch — will buy before Aug. 3, there is the possibility that the Cubs will sell off some pieces if their slide continues.

One of the most prominent Cubs players who could potentially get dealt is outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who is in the final year of his contract and would likely walk via free agency if Chicago failed to make the playoffs this year.

So, if the Cubs do fall out of the race within the next six weeks, it’s within reason that Jed Hoyer could decide to jettison Suzuki for some prospect capital to help restock the farm system and start positioning the ballclub for a quasi-rebuild.

However, trading Suzuki is more complicated than you might believe. Why? Because he has a no-trade clause.

Chicago Cubs might have difficulty trading Seiya Suzuki

Chicago signed Suzuki to a five-year, $85 million contract back in March 2022. As part of the deal, the Cubs handed Suzuki a no-trade clause, one that his agent clearly indicated he would utilize back at the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings.

Is that still the case for Suzuki?

Chances are, if the Cubbies did move Suzuki before the deadline, it would be to a contender, so you would have to imagine the 31-year-old wouldn’t have much of an issue playing for a better team. But comfort also clearly matters to the Japanese native.

Suzuki would surely be in high demand if Chicago placed him on the trade block. He is slashing .269/.357/.448 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI over 255 plate appearances this season, and he owns an .817 OPS since entering the league four years ago.

The slugger isn’t the greatest defender in the world, but rival squads would likely overlook that due to his valuable bat.

But whether or not the Cubs would actually be able to find an adequate deal for Suzuki given his no-trade clause remains to be seen. And all things considered, the chances of Chicago actually moving Suzuki seem rather unlikely to begin with.

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