Cubs Sign Japan's Seiya Suzuki For 5-Year Deal: Report

CHICAGO, IL — Japanese baseball star Seiya Suzuki has signed a five-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, according to a report from NBC Chicago's David Kaplan.

Kaplan reported the Cubs signed Suzuki for $70 million, but a report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal has the deal at $85 million over five years.

The Cubs met with Suzuki on Tuesday night, according to Kaplan, and beat out fellow suitors in the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox, among others.

Suzuki, 27, is coming off his best season with the Hiroshima Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball. The outfielder hit .319 with 38 home runs and a 1.069 OPS in 2021 and has a career .309 average and 189 home runs, according to Baseball Reference. The Carp posted his rights to MLB teams on Nov. 22, but the lockout postponed his 30-day posting window.

The Cubs also were reportedly pursuing familiar faces in first baseman Anthony Rizzo and outfielder and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, but both will play elsewhere next year. Rizzo signed with the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, the team the Cubs traded him to at the trade deadline last season.

Schwarber agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to ESPN. Schwarber was non-tendered by the Cubs before the 2021 season and signed with the Washington Nationals before being traded to the Boston Red Sox midseason.

This story is being updated.