When the Cubs traded for Kyle Tucker on Friday, it took another potential offseason splash off the board for the Phillies.
And it was a good thing.
In all likelihood, Tucker-to-Philadelphia was never happening. He’s a one-year rental seemingly destined for free agency, and the Astros’ asking price seemed high enough that it probably would’ve cost Aidan Miller or Andrew Painter. What the deal might’ve done, though, is open up the door for the Phillies to swoop in on a different impact bat: Seiya Suzuki.
The Cubs have an outfield logjam and will likely deal someone in order to get out of it. Cody Bellinger’s name has been floated plenty — if the Phillies are wise, they’ll have zero interest — but it’s possible his contract gets in the way. If no Bellinger deal comes to fruition, perhaps dealing Suzuki is plan B.
He’s exactly what the Phillies need. He hits for power, from the right side. He hits for average. He’s a corner outfielder. Sure, he strikes out a decent amount, but there’s evidence that was a product of terrible luck more than anything else. He would help them get more involved in the Japanese market, currently a weak spot in the front office. And, at least year-to-year, he’s remarkably consistent.
So, how could they get it done? Here are three ideas, perhaps with increasing appeal to Chicago.
Ranger Suárez and Rafael Marchan for Seiya Suzuki
The Suárez-for-Suzuki framework just makes too much sense for both teams. The Cubs are looking to bolster their starting rotation but feel unlikely to pay top dollar for someone like Corbin Burnes. Suárez is on an expiring contract, but as evidenced by Tucker, the Cubs seem willing to go for it in 2025 and figure the rest out later. Suárez’s ground ball tendencies could fit nicely in an infield that features Gold Glovers in Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner.
They’re also in the market for MLB-ready catching depth to work in tandem with Miguel Amaya, and Marchan could factor in to that equation. The Cubs acquired Matt Thaiss from the Angels earlier this offseason, but likely as a backup plan if they can’t do any better. The Phillies want catching depth, too, as they try to lessen J.T. Realmuto’s workload — but their preferred backup catcher (if Marchan even is their preferred backup catcher) shouldn’t stop them from acquiring a player like Suzuki.
Ranger Suárez and Edmundo Sosa for Seiya Suzuki
If Marchan won’t move the needle, maybe Edmundo Sosa would. Top prospect Matt Shaw might be the Cubs’ Opening Day third baseman in the wake of the Tucker trade (which sent Isaac Paredes to Houston), but Sosa would serve either as infield depth, something Chicago lacks, or as a stopgap starter if Shaw isn’t quite ready come April. He’s an injection of energy for a team that seems confident it can compete, and he’s under control for two more years. The Phillies’ bench could withstand Sosa’s loss, too, with Kody Clemens or Weston Wilson or Buddy Kennedy or someone currently outside the organization filling in as infield depth.
The centerpiece, of course, would still be Suárez. See above.
Alec Bohm, Seth Johnson and Max Lazar for Seiya Suzuki
It wouldn’t be a “Phillies offseason trade ideas” brainstorm without Alec Bohm included, now would it? Bohm could immediately slot in as the Cubs’ starting third baseman, or he could simply slot in to Suzuki’s DH spot if they deem Shaw ready to man the hot corner. Team control is no issue here: He’s under control through 2026, like Suzuki, and at a cheaper price.
The best player in this deal would be heading to Philadelphia, so the Phillies could partially bridge that gap by tossing in Seth Johnson, who Baseball America recently ranked the seventh-best prospect in the organization and could be ready to slot into an MLB rotation next year. Acquired in the Gregory Soto trade, Lazar had a 2.73 ERA across 25 Double- and Triple-A starts with the Phillies and Orioles last year.
Finally, with the Cubs looking to shore up their bullpen, Max Lazar is a controllable flier who had a strong season in the upper levels last year. Upon his promotion to the big league club in August, Lazar threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings before hitting a wall — but he showed enough in the minors to offer some appeal to a team looking for cheap, under-the-radar relief candidates.
