Seiya Suzuki Will Be The Primary Designated Hitter In 2025
According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki will be the team's primary designated hitter during the 2025 season. Earlier in the offseason, the Chicago Cubs acquired star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros, creating a logjam in the team's outfield. However, Suzuki and manager Craig Counsell have agreed that he will spend most of the summer at the DH spot. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Kyle Tucker to operate as the team's starting outfielder throughout most of the season. While Suzuki boasts a potent bat, his defense has been quite underwhelming. Last season, he posted a poor -3 OAA. However, in the batter's box, he held a. 283/.366/.482 line with 21 home runs and 16 stolen bases. Suzuki should have prime RBI opportunities batting behind Tucker and Happ.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Chicago Cubs are "determined" to trade either outfielders Cody Bellinger or Seiya Suzuki. While Bellinger's name has been on the trade block earlier this offseason, Suzuki's name has yet to enter the conversation. Suzuki has spent each of his first three MLB seasons with the Cubs and has posted an overall .278/.354/.470 line. Last season, he hit a career-high 21 home runs and swiped a career-high 16 bags. Under the hood, he generated a stellar 49.2% hard-hit and 11.5% barrel rates. Given Chicago's surplus of young outfielders such as Pete Crow-Armstrong, Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcantara, and even top-hitting prospect infielder Matt Shaw, the Cubs may opt to ship one of these MLB bats to improve another position on their roster, which will open a spot for one of their budding prospects.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (ankle) is returning to the starting nine on Saturday afternoon as the Cubs continue a three-game set with the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Suzuki was kept sidelined over the past two games due to a minor ankle injury but will be back in action on Saturday. Since the start of the month, the 30-year-old has been swinging a hot bat with a .316/.438/.468 slash line with two home runs and six doubles. Suzuki has enjoyed another strong campaign in his third major-league season with a solid .281/.361/.482 line, 21 long balls, and 16 stolen bases. Suzuki will likely be drafted within the top 20 at his position due to his ability to contribute to all five standard categories.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (ankle) was held out of the starting lineup during Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Suzuki injured his ankle on Tuesday and has been sidelined since then. However, his ankle reportedly is doing better on Friday and he could be available on Saturday. The Cubs have already been eliminated from postseason contention, so there is no incentive to play Suzuki at anything less than 100 percent healthy. Kevin Alcantara figures to see a handful of starts over the next few days in right field. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Cubs limit Suzuki to designated hitter duties until the end of the season.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (ankle) remains out of the lineup for Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field versus the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Suzuki suffered a sprained right ankle in Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies and will now miss his second straight start as a result. The Cubs are eliminated from the postseason, so it wouldn't be a surprise if Suzuki is unable to return for the final three games of the season. For now, the 30-year-old should be considered day-to-day. With Suzuki out again, rookie Kevin Alcantara, who was just called up this week, will make another start in right field and bat ninth against Reds right-hander Nick Martinez. The 22-year-old Dominican will be playing in just his second MLB game after going 1-for-4 with a strikeout in his debut on Wednesday in the loss to the Phillies.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (ankle) is not in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday versus the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. A sprained ankle caused Suzuki to come out of Tuesday's game early. The Cubs have a scheduled day off on Thursday, so fantasy managers will want to check back to see if he's available to play again for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. With the Cubs out of playoff contention and only four games remaining in their season, it's quite possible we won't see Suzuki again in 2024. Rookie outfielder Kevin Alcantara, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, will start in right field and bat in the nine-hole in his major-league debut against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. Patrick Wisdom is also serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth for the Cubbies.
Seiya Suzuki Exits Early Tuesday With Sprained Ankle
Chicago Cubs outfielder/designated hitter Seiya Suzuki (ankle) exited Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Phillies with a sprained ankle, per Marquee Sports Network's Taylor McGregor. Suzuki went 2-for-3 with a single, a double, two RBI, a walk, and a strikeout. However, he was pinch-hit for byPatrick Wisdom in the eighth inning after scoring on a Cody Bellinger triple in the sixth inning. The 30-year-old should be considered day-to-day and fantasy managers should keep an eye out for more news. With just a few days left in the season, they may consider dropping Suzuki in re-draft leagues to try to get some final value elsewhere. Suzuki has put together his best overall big-league season, slashing .281/.361/.482 with 21 home runs, 73 runs scored, 73 RBI, and 16 stolen bases in 576 plate appearances.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki continued to end August on a high note in Tuesday's 9-5 win over the Pirates. Suzuki, who played designated hitter, went 2-for-4 with a single, a two-run home run, a walk, and a strikeout. The 30-year-old lined a fourth-inning Jared Jones fastball to the opposite field, putting it over the right-field wall for his 19th long ball of the season. Despite a mostly poor offensive August, Suzuki owns a solid .276/.348/.494 slash line with 62 runs scored, 63 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 465 plate appearances. Hopefully, he can continue to get things going down the stretch.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki got in on the action in Monday's 18-8 win over the Pirates. Playing designated hitter, Suzuki went 4-for-6 with three singles, a double, an RBI, and a strikeout. He also stole a base. The 30-year-old has turned things around offensively after a mostly slow month of August, batting .364 with two home runs in his last seven games. This is a good sign for fantasy managers, as Suzuki has produced overall this season, slashing .274/.346/.487 with 18 HR, 60 runs scored, 61 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 460 plate appearances.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (neck) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Suzuki will make his way back into the lineup after he was forced to sit out of Monday's contest due to neck stiffness. It sounds like Suzuki is already over the issue, which is great news for fantasy managers. He'll bat third and play right field versus right-hander Pablo Lopez on Tuesday. Fantasy managers who have Suzuki rostered can get him back in their lineups ahead of first pitch.
Seiya Suzuki
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Cubs
