Before joining MLB, Seiya Suzuki was a top hitter in Nippon Professional Baseball, boasting a 1.015 OPS over his last three seasons. Despite modest contract predictions during the 2021-22 offseason, the Cubs signed him for five years at $85MM, setting a new precedent for Japanese players. As he approaches free agency after a strong season, Suzuki’s performance raises questions about whether he can command a higher salary than his original contract. The current weak free agent market may work in his favor as he seeks a lucrative deal.
