Why Cubs might trade beloved .811 OPS outfielder by trade deadline

The Chicago Cubs have completely fallen apart this season, as they've regressed to a .500 ballclub with some incredibly disappointing play in the last month.

Amid such a disappointing stretch, it's too early to throw in the towel on this Cubs team. They can still make the postseason. But that doesn't mean they can't explore an interesting trade by this year's deadline.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic outlined the case for why the Cubs could, and maybe even should, try to trade beloved .811 OPS outfielder Seiya Suzuki this summer.

Why Cubs could trade Seiya Suzuki at MLB trade deadline

"Quality right-handed bats will have immense value at the trade deadline," Rosenthal writes. And the Chicago Cubs, a team arguably in need of a shakeup, feature a righty hitter other teams might covet: Seiya Suzuki."

For a contending team like the Cubs to trade away from their big-league roster, especially someone of Suzuki's caliber, it would be a very bold move.

But thanks to an expected robust market for right-handed hitters, the Cubs could get a great haul in a trade that makes a deal worthwhile.

Suzuki is a free agent after the 2026 season comes to a close, and would be a great player to trade away this summer to get back a decent haul, regardless of whether they're still in contention or not.

MORE: Cubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GM

They have some depth options who could fill in right away in the outfield for Suzuki, and with how inconsistent Suzuki has been, parting with him now, while he still has value, might not be a bad idea at all.

He has a full no-trade clause, which will make trade talks a bit trickier. But if they can convince him to waive it and join a new club, the Cubs could stand to benefit from parting with Suzuki a few months before he hits free agency.

The 31-year-old outfielder is in the final year of a five-year, $86 million contract, and his .742 OPS this season is well below his .811 OPS for his career.

It might be a little controversial and a bit sad to trade away Suzuki this summer. But, from a strictly team-building standpoint, with how much trade value good right-handed hitters like Suzuki have, and his free agency after 2026, this trade would make sense.

More MLB news:

• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 success
• Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency
• Yankees’ Ryan McMahon problem has a $25 million release solution
• Phillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius