The MLB offseason is winding down, and as teams evaluate their chances of being contenders, opportunities still exist to make moves outside the free agent market. One such potential move involves the Chicago Cubs being open to trading Seiya Suzuki, with the Boston Red Sox being one of the teams reportedly interested.
The deal would benefit both sides: the Red Sox would gain a solid right-handed hitter for the middle of their lineup, while the Cubs could free up cap space, as they owe Suzuki $21 million each of the next two seasons.
In return for Suzuki, the Cubs could receive shortstop Franklin Arias, third baseman Romy González, and pitcher Brayan Bello. Arias is a top-50 prospect, and although the Cubs have a strong farm system, adding more talent could be advantageous.
González played 89 games with the Red Sox, hitting .266 with 25 runs and 11 steals. The Cubs could use him in a platoon role against left-handed pitchers while letting their top prospect, Matt Shaw, continue his development without the pressure of being the starting third baseman.
This trade would also allow Boston to move on from Bello, who finished the 2024 season with a 4.49 ERA and struggled at the end of the year. Suzuki would fill a significant need for the Red Sox, providing a reliable right-handed bat, having hit 20 home runs in each of the past two seasons and averaging 26 doubles per year.
