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The Chicago Cubs let Kyle Tucker walk in free agency last winter due in part to their ability to shift Seiya Suzuki back to right field to fill the void, but there will be no in-house shuffling this time around as Suzuki and left fielder Ian Happ are both set to hit the open market.
Suzuki has been a consistent run producer since joining the Cubs on a five-year, $85 million deal, posting a 131 OPS+ with 26 home runs and a career-high 5.1 WAR in 2026 thanks in part to improved defensive metrics in right field.
Happ is the longest-tenured player on the Cubs roster and a four-time Gold Glove winner in left field. The 32-year-old had a down year at the plate, but still finished with a 103 OPS+ and 55 extra-base hits with 2.9 WAR in 156 games.
Ahead, we've highlighted the most likely landing spots in free agency this winter for the Cubs' tandem, focusing on teams capable of contending with the financial flexibility and positional need at a corner outfield spot or designated hitter to be a logical fit.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds have occasionally been willing to pay for a veteran bat, though it has rarely worked out in their favor, with Mike Moustakas, Jeimer Candelario and Eugenio Suárez this past season among the cautionary tales. The need is clearly there; ownership's willingness to spend is the reason for pause.
New York Mets
The Mets appear to have their present and future outfield in place with Juan Soto and 2026 rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, but designated hitter is a potential area to upgrade. The DH spot produced a .213/.310/.378 line this past season, and with their limitless budget, a run at signing Suzuki to fill that hole is not out of the question.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates showed a newfound willingness to spend last winter, though their top priority this offseason is expected to be re-signing Brandon Lowe. That will likely cost them an average annual value of $20 million on a multi-year deal. Even with their newfound financial flexibility, they probably only have one signing on that level on the horizon this winter, making a high-profile outfield upgrade more of a fallback plan.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles' outfield contingent ranked 28th in the majors with a .229 batting average in 2026, so there is plenty of room to upgrade. The more likely focus will be revamping an underperforming pitching staff that is poised to lose Trevor Rogers in free agency.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers used 10 different starting right fielders in 2026, with Zach McKinstry (49 starts) and Kerry Carpenter (41 starts) the closest thing they had to regular options at the position. Suzuki's right-handed power bat would be a nice complement to left-handed hitters Riley Greene and Kevin McGonigle, but like the Orioles, rebuilding the starting rotation figures to be their No. 1 priority.
Houston Astros
The Astros' outfielders hit a combined .210/.286/.376, and while Cam Smith was the everyday starter in right field, the other two spots were a revolving door. Ideally, they would find a right-handed hitter capable of manning center field. With significant pitching needs as well, the fit here is plausible but not a slam dunk.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals need offensive upgrades and have a clear spot to upgrade in left field. The question is whether they will be willing to spend the money it will take to sign any of the market's top free agents, or if they'll try to patch things together in the bargain bin like they did last winter.
Projected OF: LF Casey Schmitt, CF Drew Gilbert, RF Jung Hoo Lee
Projected DH: Bryce Eldridge
Casey Schmitt played a respectable left field (231.2 INN, -4 DRS, -2 OAA), but fits best as a corner infielder or designated hitter, which could ultimately make him a trade chip given the presence of Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman and Bryce Eldridge.
The Giants have been willing to spend in recent years, and while they need some help for Logan Webb in the starting rotation, adding a defensive standout like Happ to their spacious outfield or a power bat like Suzuki to the middle of their underperforming lineup could also provide a major boost.
Projected OF: LF Brandon Marsh, CF Justin Crawford, RF Gabriel Rincones Jr.
Projected DH: Kyle Schwarber
The Phillies took a flier on Adolis García last offseason hoping he could be a buy-low solution to their need for a right-handed hitting outfielder, but a torn lat muscle ended his season in June. Right field was a black hole until Bryce Harper moved back there following the deadline addition of Luis Arraez.
With Arraez set to depart in free agency, it's a clear position of need once again, and Suzuki figures to be one of the top targets for the Phillies this winter. The big question is just how much more this team is willing to spend on aging veteran talent, and whether shoring up the bullpen around Jhoan Durán will be a bigger priority.
Projected OF: LF Michael Arroyo, CF Julio Rodríguez, RF Dominic Canzone
Projected DH: Lazaro Montes
Randy Arozarena might be headed for a $100 million payday as arguably the top bat on the free-agent market this winter, and there's a good chance that contract will be coming from someone other than the Mariners.
Suzuki likely won't come much cheaper, at least from an AAV standpoint, but he might be available on a shorter deal. Meanwhile, Happ could be a great fit in left field where his defense, extra-base pop and clubhouse leadership give him some buy-low upside after a down year.
Projected OF: LF Nathan Lukes, CF Brett Bateman, RF Addison Barger
Projected DH: Sean Keys
"This offseason, said a league source who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss offseason plans, the Jays are expected to pursue Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki," wrote Mitch Bannon of The Athletic in late September.
With Addison Barger coming off a season where he played just nine games and George Springer headed for free agency and perhaps retirement, a corner outfielder and a designated hitter will both be on the offseason shopping list.
Projected OF: LF Matt Shaw, CF Pete Crow-Armstrong, RF Kevin Alcántara
Projected DH: BJ Murray Jr.
Suzuki and Happ are not the only Cubs outfielders headed for free agency this winter, as veteran Michael Conforto and platoon standout Tyrone Taylor are also free agents, leaving the club with multiple holes to fill in both the starting lineup and on the bench.
They could give Matt Shaw a regular home in the outfield after he filled a super-utility role in 2026, but there's a good chance they will pursue a reunion with Suzuki, and if Happ is willing to accept a hometown discount, both could return.
After ranking as the top offense and top defense in baseball this season, there's no reason for the Cubs to be hunting for sweeping changes to their position player group, even if the offense went cold in October.
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