Phillies tabbed as landing spot for .845 OPS Cubs outfielder in free agency

The Philadelphia Phillies have been in need of a right-handed hitting outfielder for a few years now, and that hasn't changed this season. Derek Hill has been a nice surprise, and Bryan De La Cruz has been a solid depth right-handed hitter as well.

But this Phillies offense needs a true right-handed hitting outfield star. Bryce Harper won't stay in the outfield for long, and Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford are just okay. Adding a good right-handed hitting outfielder would be huge for this team.

That's why CBS Sports' Mike Axisa tabbed the Phillies as a landing spot for a soon-to-be free agent outfielder from the Chicago Cubs, Seiya Suzuki. The veteran right-handed hitting outfielder would be a fantastic addition, as he's just what this team needs.

Phillies linked as landing spot for Seiya Suzuki in free agency

"There are shockingly few quality right-handed hitters in the game right now. Suzuki is a legitimate middle-of-the-order righty bat who provides secondary value with his glove," Axisa writes. "Super early possible landing spots: Cubs, Phillies."

It's going to be a challenge landing Suzuki this offseason, especially if the Cubs are interested. Suzuki would likely favor a return to Chicago over joining a new team like the Phillies.

But if the Phillies could somehow pull it off and sign Suzuki to join their outfield, he'd be just what they've been searching for.

Suzuki is a right-handed hitting outfielder who would likely slot into the right-field spot, with Harper moving back to first base. That's a much more ideal set-up than what they have going to end the 2026 MLB season

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Suzuki has posted 4.7 bWAR this season in 128 games, the best year of his career. He has a career-high 87 runs scored to go with 131 hits, 30 doubles, 24 homers, and 80 RBIs with a few weeks to go.

His .268 batting average and .845 OPS are strong as well. This is now his fourth straight season with an OPS+ of at least 125. That means he's been no worse than 25% better than the league-average hitter for four straight seasons.

Adding Suzuki won't come cheap. But considering how badly the Phillies want to upgrade their right-handed hitting spot, especially with an outfield addition, Suzuki would make perfect sense.

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