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Seiya Suzuki signed a five-year, $85 million contract with the Chicago Cubs last week. He shot down any reports of going to the San Diego Padres in an Instagram post and visited the Cubs.
The San Francisco Giants were also reported as finalists, but he chose to be a Northsider. The deal is great for Suzuki himself, but the team only has more questions than answers.
Last season, the Cubs parted ways with the remains of their core from the 2016 World Series championship team at the trade deadline with Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and many others sent away.
General Manager Jed Hoyer also signed Marcus Stroman right before the MLB Lockout began to bolster their rotation.
Suzuki should be playing immediately with an outfield featuring a declining Jason Heyward, Rafael Ortega and Ian Happ.
The Cubs are at a middle ground entering 2022. They're not going for a full rebuild with these signings, yet this roster doesn't appear to have enough to contend either.
Manager David Ross was given a contract extension as the Cubs plan to be patient and trust the process.
Chicago received a decent haul of prospects coming back for their selling efforts, but many of those on the farm are not ready for MLB.
Suzuki will get a chance to play immediately and his role could be seen as a placeholder for when the prospects are ready.
On the field, Suzuki has the highest expectations for a Japanese position player since Hideki Matsui. Unfortunately in human nature, Cubs fans are likely thinking about Kosuke Fukudome, who was only good for a few months and didn't finish his contract as he traded to the White Sox.
If we're going by exit velocity and ability to hit many pitches, Suzuki had it all in NPB. If he can carry the Cubs on offense, it could create momentum for the next few years. His contract indicates there was a bidding war for his services and teams had to respect him without playing an MLB game. With the posting fee, the Cubs are investing about $100 million on Suzuki.
That being said, there is speculation owner Tom Ricketts is content with the 2016 World Series championship and could be more invested in other interests, like a potential purchase of Chelsea F.C.
If anything, Ricketts is not operating under a bare bones staff.
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Kikuchi with Toronto
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $36 million contract. Kikuchi opted out of his 1 year, $13 million player option with hopes of getting a multiple-year deal.
This signing is more a risk for Toronto given Kikuchi faded in the second half of 2021. It might be smarter to make him a reliever if this trend continues.
Given Toronto was forced to pay this amount, credit always goes to his agent Scott Boras for usually driving the price up for players.
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Yoshitomo Tsutsugo staying in Pittsburgh
Tsutsugo's time didn't work out in Tampa Bay as we hoped. His lack of hitting kept him out of the lineup and the micromanagement skills we hoped for weren't helpful for his growth in MLB.
After a stint with with Dodgers, his short time with the Pittsburgh Pirates earned him a one year, $4 million contract for 2022.
Playing for the Pirates might be for the best, as they're a team with nothing to lose. Tsutsugo ended up playing better when he was in the field on a normal basis, something he's used to with the Central League in the past. Maybe he's not built to be a DH?
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Shogo Akiyama stranded?
The Cincinnati Reds have been in fire sale mode since the lockout ended, but Akiyama is stuck on the roster as it's likely no team is interested.
No matter what, Akiyama is due $8 million for 2022, but the Reds have no attachment for his services as the executives who liked him at signing are no longer worker there.
This could be a lame duck year unless he thrives with no supporting cast. With this being a contract year, playing well could earn interest in another team before the July trade deadline, but it's doubtful.
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Maeda missing for 2022
Kenta Maeda underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of 2021, which usually requires a full year to recover from. When he signed his initial 8-year contract with the Dodgers, they anticipated TJ surgery to happen given the length of his team-friendly deal with incentives built in.
Maeda will enter a contract year in 2023. If anything, at least he's automatically the best Japan-born player in Minnesota Twins history with how things failed with Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
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Sawamura looking for more
Hirokazu Sawamura signed a team-friendly deal with the Boston Red Sox in 2021 and they got the most out of someone who pitched a high number of games.
However, his walk rate was a concern, but manager Alex Cora expects meaningful innings for the former Yomiuri Giants closer who also spent time with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
His command will be key in 2022 and if his fastball can elevate, he'll have a role in the Red Sox bullpen.
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Will Ohtani play meaningful games?
We usually keep ourselves out of the conversations regarding Shohei Ohtani as everyone can talk about him.
No question, his MVP 2021 season was amazing. Problem is, his team finished with a losing record at 77-85. Take Ohtani off the team and they likely lose 100 games.
The good news for those who want team success is the playoff field expanded by one team with six in each league making the postseason. It's possible a .500 team can get in, but do the Angels have any pitching depth or depth in general?
Owner Arte Moreno has thrown money around for the wrong reasons and it's possible Anthony Rendon is the latest of bad signings. Their pitching has contained several 1-2 flyers hoping to find a diamond in the rough to offset the costs of others.
The Angels have wasted years of Mike Trout before Ohtani, could they do it again? He isn't obscure, but his team is on the outside.
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What is Darvish?
Yu Darvish was part of an awful collapse with the San Diego Padres in 2021. Things were looking great in the first half, but his second half was poor, just like the team was. From July to September, he had a 6.65 ERA and an opposing OPS of .843 in 14 starts.
He has two years left on his contract and should be expected to carry the rotation, but how long does this last?
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