The Los Angeles Dodgers could lose Teoscar Hernández in free agency. If that happens they would have to scramble to replace him through either a trade or signing. However, they could run into some trouble.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal noted that Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki is an option for the Dodgers. However, he also noted that the Cubs may not be inclined to move the star despite a loaded outfield.
“The Cubs, according to a source briefed on the club’s thinking, are not inclined to trade Suzuki even after acquiring right fielder Kyle Tucker,” wrote Rosenthal. “In the Cubs’ estimation, the market for right-handed hitters is thin. Replacing Suzuki, who has an .824 OPS in three major-league seasons, would be difficult.”
The Cubs’ acquisition of Kyle Tucker gives them a full outfield with him, Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong. In theory, the Cubs should have no problem trading Suzuki and his contract.
Suzuki signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Cubs in 2022. However, he may now be unhappy with his role on the team now. Suzuki’s agent has noted that he does not wish to be a full-time DH, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
Suzuki does not have the same power that Hernández brought to the Dodgers. However, he did just hit a career-high 21 home runs. He has 55 home runs in three seasons in the big leagues. He could join fellow countrymen Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto with the Dodgers. As perfect as the pairing seems, the Cubs’ reluctance to deal him could hurt the Dodgers.
If the Cubs hold on to Suzuki, the Dodgers’ options could be limited. Anthony Santander may be out of the Dodgers’ desired spending limit. Luis Robert Jr. may demand too much in a trade.
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