Chicago Cubs: Seiya Suzuki is the perfect “very good” ballplayer

Cubs fans roared at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon when Seiya Suzuki hit a go-ahead three-run homer against the Cardinals. It was his 21st homer of the season and 108th in the Majors. The clutch blast had plenty of people expressing their desire to extend the 31-year old outfilder/DH, and for good reason.

HIGH. DEEP. GONE. pic.twitter.com/LseU4b8oF2

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 14, 2026

Suzuki has been a Cub since 2022, when he signed a five-year deal out of Japan. His 108 homers go along with a career .269/.349/.475 slash with an .824 OPS and 369 RBI in 637 games. He is the epitome of a “very good” ballplayer who sits just outside the (subjective) threshold of being a bona fide star.

Evaluating Suzuki’s offensive value

To say he’s not quite a star is not a knock by any means. Posting an .800+ OPS, 127+ wRC+, and 20+ homers every season for the past four years is incredibly valuable. It’s the type of bat a team would want to keep around. He stacks up well among some other really good ballplayers.

Since 2023 (heading into Friday’s action), Suzuki has ranked the top 25 in both OPS (21st highest) and wRC+ (tied for 17th highest) among all qualified players. Among some really good company, though obviously not at the levels of Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Yordan Alvarez, or Bryce Harper. He’s more along the lines of Byron Buxton, Rafael Devers, Jose Ramirez, and Max Muncy in terms of overall offensive value (based on wRC+) over the past 3-4 years. Not shabby at all.

Even so, Suzuki arguably does not get the accolades as previously mentioned. Despite his really good numbers, he has yet to make an All Star team. He was clearly snubbed last season. It’s somewhat like Kyle Hendricks was as a pitcher – not the biggest name or flashiest guy, but someone who was quietly darn good at his craft.

Suzuki’s offensive value is all but stamped

Coming into the league, it was a mystery how well his skills would translate to the Majors. After 4.5 seasons, he’s established what he is. It feels safe to say he has at least a few more years of 20+ homers, .800 OPS, and a 127-135 wRC+ in him. He’s been consistently doing it since 2023; it’s not like this is based on one or two seasons.

Will he ever be in the Super Star tier? No. And that’s okay, because he’s really good as is. There are very few players in a generation that can hit like Ohtani, Judge, or Soto. Suzuki’s bat will always have its kinks and odd, sizeable slump stretches where the struggles are very ugly and baffling. He always works out of them, though.

The Cubs should bring him back. He has such good value and should be a Cub for the rest of his prime years. His improved defense this year can allow him to be trusted in right going forward, while also DHing when needed. It won’t be an albatross deal like Soto’s or Ohtani’s. Get it done.

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