ESPN and MLB trade rumors see Blue Jays being a fit for Seiya Suzuki

The Toronto Blue Jays are eager to improve on one of the franchise's most disappointing seasons, and multiple media outlets are linking them to former Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki.

ESPN and MLB Trade Rumors named Toronto as a fit for the Japanese slugger, and it’s easy to see why. The right fielder has been one of the most consistent hitters in the majors since making his debut in 2022. He improved his defensive value in 2026 with plus-12 defensive runs saved and plus-five Outs Above Average

Seiya Suzuki’s skill set makes him an ideal free agent target 

Suzuki has hit 20-plus home runs in each of the last four seasons and averaged 30 doubles per season over that span, with an .833 OPS. He played DH in 102 of his 149 starts in 2025, but made 111 starts in right field last season.

The 32-year-old led MLB with a .992 fielding percentage and finished with 0.8 dWAR, after recording -2.7 dWAR from 2022-2025. He doesn’t need to be a wizard out there; anything close to last season’s performance will do. 

Suzuki isn’t known as a speedster, but has sneaky quickness and was ranked in the 63rd percentile in MLB sprint speed. He graded poorly in baserunning run value (-3 runs, eighth percentile) but picks his spots effectively, stealing eight bases over the last two seasons while being caught only twice.

The Blue Jays saw a second half turnaround that was partly fueled by Brett Bateman's ability to create some noise on the bases. Continuing in that direction is something the Blue Jays should be focused on.

The longtime Cub has one of the strongest arms and has above-average accuracy. His hard-hit rate and average exit velocity were slightly lower last season, and his ground-ball rate increased a tad, but that shouldn’t deter the Blue Jays from pursuing this no-brainer free-agent addition. 

Suzuki’s age may make some teams hesitant to offer a contract of more than three years. Freddie Freeman, Kyle Schwarber, Starling Marte, and Alex Bregman are exceptions, having received a five-year-plus deal at age 32 or older over the past five seasons.

Suzuki will almost certainly reject the pending qualifying offer, making a four-year contract less likely. His consistency, power hitting, improved defense, and overall team fit should be enough for the Blue Jays to offer a four-year contract, and a five-year deal shouldn’t be out of the question either, especially if it gives them a leg up over other competing teams.

MLB Trade Rumors predicts a four-year, $105 million contract. Toronto’s front office shouldn’t overthink this and make Suzuki their top offseason priority.

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