The Boston Red Sox are still looking for an impact right-handed bat to add to their lineup, especially after Tyler O'Neill walked in free agency.
The rumor mill has been spinning, especially regarding Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado. But WEEI columnist Tyler Milliken recently proposed a different option — Cubs' outfielder Seiya Suzuki.
Suzuki signed a five-year, $86 million contract with the Cubs prior to the 2022 season thanks to his sterling career in Japan. His rookie season was underwhelming, but he's elevated his game over the last two years, with back-to-back 20 home run seasons where he slashed a combined .284/.361/.845. Those numbers will play anywhere, especially at righty-friendly Fenway Park. A bat like that justifies the $38 million he's owed over the last two years of his contract.
Unfortunately, there's one big problem with this trade — there's no place for Suzuki in the lineup. Unless the Red Sox were willing to part with the younger and far less expensive Wilyer Abreu in this trade, the outfield is full between him, Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela. The Red Sox won't be trading any of those guys for Suzuki.
Red Sox could trade with Cubs for Seiya Suzuki if they don't sign a righty bat, but more moves would be necessary to fit him in their lineup
Go-ahead inside-the-park home run for Seiya Suzuki! pic.twitter.com/hLqj5Idd4i
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 4, 2022
The other option is to unload Masataka Yoshida and have Suzuki in the DH spot. However, the Red Sox have been looking to unload Yoshida's contract all offseason with no success. There's no way that the Cubs would accept Yoshida as a return for Suzuki since they weren't even willing to consider giving him up for Kyle Tucker. Not only that, but their contracts are nearly identical and Suzuki has been much more effective in nearly every respect. Throwing in a prospect in addition doesn't make sense for the Sox' long-term outlook, either.
Suzuki also prefers to play in the outfield rather than in the DH slot. He moved to DH at the end of last season due to a crowded Cubs outfield and his poor defense, but he reportedly wasn't thrilled with the idea of DHing full-time. His fate was further sealed by the Cubs' trade for Tucker, who will presumably play right field. Suzuki's desire to play defense is the main reason the Cubs are even considering trading him, and since he has a full no-trade clause, he could just decline a trade to Boston if the Sox were considering playing him at DH.
If the Red Sox can find a way to make a trade happen and put Suzuki in the outfield, he'd definitely be a boost to the lineup, but that's hard to envision given the current roster construction. Their energy would be better focused on finding a righthanded infielder to round out their lineup.