Seiya Suzuki is coming off another solid season with the Chicago Cubs, and the right fielder is now primed to cash in on a new free-agent deal. The 32-year-old was one of eight players who received the qualifying offer, and here’s what that means for Suzuki and the Cubs: they could gain something, but they could also give up value if they pursue a few free agents with the QO tag this offseason.
As expected, Suzuki was the only Cubs free agent to receive a qualifying offer from the team. He now has the option to either accept it, which would mean he automatically agrees to re-sign with the Cubs on a one-year deal worth $23.15 million. However, Suzuki is going to decline it, as he seeks a multi-year contract that will be worth an estimated $100 million plus, according to early projections.
Once Suzuki declines the qualifying offer, he’ll become officially free to sign with any team. If Suzuki leaves the Cubs this offseason and signs elsewhere, the Cubs won’t be completely empty-handed, as they’ll receive a compensatory draft pick. Unfortunately for the Cubs, because they went over the CBT in 2026, they will only be awarded an extra pick in the 2027 MLB Draft after the fourth round.
On the flip side, if the Cubs sign one of the other seven players with a qualifying offer, they would also have to give up their second- and fifth-round picks in the 2027 MLB draft, in addition to $1 million in international bonus pool money.
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Here are the eight players that have received the qualifying offer this offseason.
Seiya Suzuki – Chicago Cubs (OF)
Randy Arozarena – Seattle Mariners (OF)
Jake Bauers – Milwaukee Brewers (1B/OF)
David Bednar – New York Yankees (RHP)
Ryan Jeffers – Minnesota Twins (C/DH)
Brandon Lowe – Pittsburgh Pirates (2B)
Adrian Morejon – San Diego Padres (LHP)
Trevor Rogers – Baltimore Orioles (LHP)
Alongside Suzuki, Randy Arozarena, Brandon Lowe, Trevor Rogers, and Adrian Morejon will decline the qualifying offer.
The Cubs certainly need help upgrading their pitching heading into 2027, so Rogers and Morejon could certainly be targets, while Arozarena could potentially get on their radar depending on his market.
Suzuki, along with the other seven players with the QO, has until Nov. 17 to either accept or decline the qualifying offer.
