Cubs Rumors: Japanese Star Seiya Suzuki Agrees to 5-Year, $85M Free-Agent Contract

The Chicago Cubs agreed to a deal with Seiya Suzuki on Wednesday.

Suzuki was reported to have a five-year, $85 million contract.

Jeff Passan pointed out that the largest deal for a Japanese position player in MLB history was the $155 million Yankees deal.

David Kaplan of NBC Sports Chicago reported that Suzuki had agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with the Cubs.

Jon Heyman of the MLB Network reported earlier in the winter that Suzuki was going to be posted for all 30 teams by the end of November.

At midnight, the lockout began. The process was interrupted on December 1st. Suzuki's posting window was frozen by MLB and NPB at that point.

He has been one of the best players in NPB. In 902 career NPB games, he has a.315/.414/.570 slash line with 182 homers and 82 stolen bases. He has been named to the NPB All-Star team five times in the past six seasons.

Suzuki spoke to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic about the challenge of playing against the best baseball players in the world.

Suzuki was motivated to play harder and get better so he could play with the better players in the States.

Suzuki was ranked the 15th free agent by R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports.

He has walked more than he has struck out in the past three years. He finished with one fewer walk than strikeout. Suzuki has a high grade arm that should allow him to make an impact on defense. He isn't a particularly skilled basestealer, which is the only blemish in his game. Teams will overlook that.

At times, Suzuki has played third base, but his primary position is right field. He can handle the position in baseball. His power and contact skills allowed him to hit a career-high 38 homers.

The Cubs are loading up to make a run at the playoffs in 2022, after turning the pages on many of the players left from their World Series team last year.

The starting rotation was signed by Chicago prior to the Lockout.

David Ross will be able to use Suzuki in the outfield for the upcoming season. The value of a defensive player is not as important as the offense of the player.

Ian Happ is a slightly better offensive player than Heyward, but he is not much of a defender in left field.

Suzuki should help split the difference between the two. He has been a solid offensive player throughout his career in Japan, with the skill set to be an average defender in the corner outfield.

The Cubs still have work to do to replenish their roster, but the additions of Suzuki and Stroman are promising for the long- and short-term future of the franchise.