Mariners Eye Seiya Suzuki in Free Agency
Analyst Max Rieper projects Seattle would sign the Chicago Cubs outfielder to a four-year, $104 million deal.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Baseball
Heavy.com analyst Max Rieper projected the Seattle Mariners would sign Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki to a four-year, $104 million contract. Suzuki is entering free agency after a 2026 season in which he hit .270 with 26 home runs and 86 RBIs.
Why it matters
Seattle's interest in Suzuki could offer the club an alternative if Randy Arozarena departs, as the Mariners extended him a qualifying offer. The projection reflects Suzuki's four straight seasons of at least 20 home runs.
Suzuki hit .270 with 26 home runs, 86 RBIs, and an .841 OPS in 143 games, with a career-high 81 walks in 2026. Arozarena hit .281 with 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases, while the projection's $104 million figure remains unconfirmed by either club.
The players
Seiya Suzuki
Suzuki is a Chicago Cubs outfielder who earned Gold Glove finalist recognition in 2026 and has hit at least 20 home runs in four consecutive seasons.
Randy Arozarena
Arozarena is a Seattle Mariners outfielder entering free agency after posting 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 2026.
Max Rieper
Rieper is a Heavy.com analyst who published the free-agent prediction projecting Suzuki's move to Seattle.
Jason Kanzler
Kanzler was hired as Seattle Mariners manager on November 3.
The details
Rieper made the prediction in his November 3 free-agent column for SB Nation's Royals Review, naming the Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and Boston Red Sox as other potential suitors for Suzuki. The Mariners extended Arozarena a qualifying offer on November 2, and Suzuki received an identical offer from Chicago.
Timeline
November 2: Mariners extend Randy Arozarena a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer.
November 3: Max Rieper publishes his Suzuki-to-Seattle prediction; Jason Kanzler is hired as Mariners manager.
November 17: Arozarena's deadline to accept or decline the qualifying offer.
Season Trajectory
Seattle's pursuit of a power hitter comes as the Mariners install a new manager in Jason Kanzler while weighing whether to keep Randy Arozarena. How the club resolves its outfield situation will shape its competitive position heading into the next season.
If Arozarena declines the qualifying offer, Seattle's outfield and fantasy rosters would depend on whether the club pursues Suzuki or another option. Suzuki's 81 walks in 2026 also shape his value in on-base-focused leagues.
The takeaway
Free-agent projections are estimates rather than signed deals, so fans should watch for official team announcements before treating any contract as settled.
What happens next
Arozarena must accept or decline the Mariners' qualifying offer by November 17.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage for context on the Mariners' offseason moves.
