Cubs make a splash in the outfield
MESA, Ariz. — It appears Jed Hoyer and the Cubs have made their splash in the free agent market.
The Cubs have signed Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki to a 5-year deal. The move was made official Friday afternoon.
The deal gives the Cubs a right-handed-hitting outfielder that could provide immediate offensive help.
“Certainly we’re gonna add a lot more players,” Hoyer said on the first day of camp in Arizona. “We’ll have openings, and we’ll be talking to free agents and talking to teams.”
Suzuki, 27, has 9 years of professional experience in Japan, slashing .309/.402/.541 with 189 home runs. Last season with the Hiroshima Carp, Suzuki hit .317 with 38 home runs and had a 1.073 OPS.
His addition adds some thump to a Cubs outfield that hit .235 with 67 home runs as a unit in 2021.
Suzuki would pair with Ian Happ, Rafael Ortega and Jason Heyward in the outfield. The team also signed Clint Frazier in December and the former Yankee could factor into the outfield or DH mix.
The Cubs re-signed Illinois native Michael Hermosillo — who played 16 games with the team last year — and struck a deal with Cleveland to acquire Harold Ramirez. Both players are in the outfield mix this spring.