Cubs predicted to sign Mariners All-Star OF to $97.5M deal to replace Seiya Suzuki

The Chicago Cubs are going to be looking for starting pitching upgrades during the offseason, with a bunch of their starters hitting the open market.

But, they will also be on the lookout for outfield help, as Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, along with the recently acquired Tyrone Taylor, will all be. free agents at year’s end.

Instead of bringing Suzuki or Happ back, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report is predicting the Cubs will splurge in free agency by signing Seattle Mariners All-Star Randy Arozarena to a five-year, $97.5 million deal to replace Suzuki in the outfield.

Cubs predicted to sign Randy Arozarena to $97.5M deal to replace Seiya Suzuki
“But with the Cubs slated to lose both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki this winter, he would fit seamlessly into that outfield,” Miller writes on Arozarena. “Prediction: 5 years, $97.5M with the Chicago Cubs.”This prediction from Miller would lead to a very disappointing outcome. Seeing the beloved Susuzki and or Happ leave in free agency would be a shame.

Both outfielders are fan favorites and are still playing at a high level. This prediction doesn’t preclude the Cubs from bringing one back, but it’s incredibly unlikely for Chicago to pair Arozarena with both Happ and Suzuki.

If they’re adding Arozarena on such a massive deal, it would be hard to imagine they’d have the financial ability to also re-sign Suzuki over the same offseason.

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But, putting the potential disappointing split with Suzuki or Happ aside, adding Arozarena to the lineup would be a very fun pickup for the Cubs.

The three-time All-Star and former ALCS MVP is an incredible player who, at 31 years old, is playing some great baseball with the Mariners.

This season, he has 3.7 bWAR in 109 games with 113 hits, 73 runs scored, 24 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 49 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, 45 walks, 97 strikeouts, a .282 batting average, and an .827 OPS.

There would be some risk in adding Arozarena through his age-36 season. But, the upside would be very appealing, even if this prediction would mean losing one of Happ or Suzuki.