The current state of the Braves outfield is dire.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is scheduled to miss at least the first six weeks of the season, and the reality is it could be much longer than that. With him on the pine, it leaves Michael Harris II and not much else. Jarred Kelenic was benched to end last season in favor of Ramon Laureano, while Eli White and Luke Williams are fringe roster players. Multiple bodies needed to be added, including at least one impact starter, and the Cubs have a couple up for trade.
According to Joel Sherman, not only is Chicago trying its best to rid of Cody Bellinger’s contract, but they also want to move Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki.
Cody Bellinger’s contract and inconsistent play over the last half-decade make him an incredible risk. The Cubs will have to eat a significant amount of salary to move him, and even then, his $25 million player option will likely deter the Braves from seriously considering him. Seiya Suzuki, on the other hand, will have a robust market.
Suzuki is coming off the best season of his career, hitting .283 with 21 home runs and an .848 OPS. Over his three MLB seasons, he boasts an .824 OPS and 128 OPS+ (28% above league average). He’s 30-years-old and has two years remaining on his contract set to pay him $19 million annually. That’s borderline All-Star caliber production at a more than palatable rate, especially given some of the recent contracts that have been handed out to start the offseason.
If the Cubs are seriously “determined” to move Seiya Suzuki, the Braves should be first in line trying to make a trade.
—
Photo: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.