After signing Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million deal last offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers saw him have a career year. As a result, Hernández is now seeking a longer contract, with his preferred choice being the Dodgers. However, the two sides have not yet agreed to a deal. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Hernández is seeking a three-year deal worth between $66 million and $72 million. With the Dodgers yet to meet these demands, they are reportedly exploring other options. One of those alternatives is Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs.
Suzuki, 30, signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Cubs in 2022. Following the acquisition of Kyle Tucker, the Cubs may be viewing Suzuki more as a designated hitter than as an outfielder. However, Suzuki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, has indicated that his client is not interested in being a full-time DH, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. Given the Cubs’ crowded outfield and the Dodgers’ potential need for a replacement for Hernández, a trade involving Suzuki could be on the horizon.
In this scenario, the Dodgers would acquire Suzuki, while the Cubs would receive catcher Diego Cartaya, who is the Dodgers’ No. 16 prospect, and right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller. While Suzuki does not provide the same power that Hernández does—Hernández slugged 33 home runs during his All-Star season in 2024—he would be a significantly cheaper option. Suzuki hit a career-high 21 home runs last season and has 55 home runs since coming to Major League Baseball from Nippon Professional Baseball. The Dodgers would be unwilling to part with their top prospect, Dalton Rushing, who can play both catcher and outfield. However, Cartaya is the Dodgers’ second-best catching prospect. The 23-year-old reached Triple-A last season and could be the catcher the Cubs are looking for. With Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly under contract for 2025, Cartaya could provide valuable depth and potentially emerge as the Cubs’ catcher of the future.
Additionally, Miller, who had a solid rookie season with the Dodgers, posting a 3.76 ERA, could benefit from a fresh start in Chicago after struggling last season with an 8.52 ERA in 13 starts. This trade would offer the Cubs potential long-term value in Cartaya and Miller while providing the Dodgers a more affordable outfield option in Suzuki.
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