Cubs were swept and eliminated by Padres, Makoto Suzuki may leave the team when his contract expires
The Cubs were eliminated by the Padres in the Wild Card Series, and Japanese player Makoto Suzuki will become a free agent when his five-year contract expires. US media pointed out that because the team needs to strengthen its pitching strength, the Cubs may not join the battle.
Quick Look
- The Cubs were eliminated by the Padres in the Wild Card Series, and Japanese player Makoto Suzuki will become a free agent when his five-year contract expires.
- US media reported that the Cubs may not try to retain players because they need to strengthen their pitching staff.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Makoto Suzuki joined the Cubs before the 2022 season for a five-year, $85 million deal. This season is the last year of the five-year contract.
Suzuki Makoto. (File photo, AFP)
[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] The Cubs were swept by the Padres in the Wild Card Series and were eliminated early. This is also the last year of the Cubs' Japanese player Makoto Suzuki's five-year contract with the team, and he will become a free agent in the off-season. According to Cubs reporter Patrick Mooney of "The Athletic", the Cubs may not join the battle for Seiya Suzuki in order to strengthen their pitching staff.
The 32-year-old Suzuki Makoto also delivered 26 home runs and 86 RBIs in the regular season this season. His hitting measurements were 0.270/0.368/0.473, the overall offensive index (OPS) was 0.841, and the win share value (WAR value) was 4.6. Makoto Suzuki also played in 2 games in the playoffs this year, with a total of 7 at-bats, 2 hits, and 1 walk, with a batting average of 0.286.
Makoto Suzuki also joined the Cubs before the 2022 season for 5 years and 85 million US dollars. He stayed in the United States for 5 years and contributed 113 home runs and 382 RBIs to the Cubs, with an average batting average of 0.269 and an OPS of 0.823.
"The Athletic" pointed out that Suzuki Makoya's overall data this year has been one of the best performances of his career, which may make him a popular candidate in the free market. However, considering the current pitching gap of the Cubs, it is unlikely to join the battle to retain Suzuki Makoya.
The Cubs' average pitching ERA in the regular season this season was 4.12, ranking 15th in the major leagues, and the starting group's average ERA was 4.27, ranking 18th in the major leagues.
Makoto Suzuki was interviewed after the game yesterday and said, "Looking back on the past five years, I don't know if I have met everyone's expectations of me or my expectations of myself."; Regarding whether he will continue to play for the Cubs in the future, Makoto Suzuki only said, "All I can say is that I really enjoy being a Cubs player."
Open Questions
- Which team will Suzuki Makoya join next season?
- What are the Cubs' pitching plans for the offseason?
