Chicago Cubs’ most likely MLB trade deadline partner revealed

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Chicago Cubs’ most likely MLB trade deadline partner revealed

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated Jun 12, 2026 11:36 AM ET

The Chicago Cubs finally managed to get a win on Thursday, defeating the Colorado Rockies after dropping the first two games of their three-game set.

Nevertheless, the Cubs are just 35-34 and have gone a dreadful 8-22 since their 27-12 start, and there does not appear to be any end in sight to their woes. They have prominent issues up and down their roster, and their health situation isn’t getting any better.

Chicago has gone from looking like a World Series contender to a potential seller by the MLB trade deadline, which is not something anyone would have expected just over a month ago.

But here we are, with the deadline now less than two months away, and the Cubs may be left with no choice but to move some pieces. Seiya Suzuki is one of the names that has been floated as a potential trade candidate before Aug. 3, which makes sense because he is slated to hit free agency at year’s end.

Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer has listed Suzuki among his top trade chips between now and the deadline, and he has identified one particular landing spot for the slugger.

Chicago Cubs linked to Seiya Suzuki trade with Seattle Mariners

Jun 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Rymer feels that the Seattle Mariners, who have surged into first place in the AL West, would be a fine landing spot for Suzuki, and he thinks a one-for-one swap for pitcher Luis Castillo would be a nice deal for the pitching-starved Cubs.

“Castillo is owed $24.15 million this year and next, while Suzuki is making $19 million in the last year of his contract. So albeit with some other trimmings, there’s a swap to be made here,” Rymer wrote. “Otherwise, the Mariners could use another right-handed bat, and there’s a reasonably clean fit for him as either a platoon or full-time player in right field and DH.”

Suzuki bashed a grand slam during Chicago’s win over the Rockies on Thursday, but he hasn’t been up to par on the 2026 campaign as a whole.

The outfielder is slashing .248/.332/.421 with 10 homers and 26 RBI over 229 plate appearances, good the worst OPS of his career. He posted OPSes north of .800 each of the three preceding seasons, and last year, he finished with 32 long balls and 103 RBI.

Suzuki also isn’t the strongest defender in the world, so if he isn’t hitting, he doesn’t really have a ton of value.

Perhaps a change of scenery would be best for the 31-year-old, who boasts a lifetime .267/.345/.467 slash line. Given that the Mariners are headed in a very different direction from the Cubs, they could be a good fit for the Japanese star.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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