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Chicago Cubs: Seiya Suzuki gets brutally honest about future with team entering final contract year

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Robin Adams | Last updated Feb 21, 2026 2:06 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are entering the 2026 MLB season with one goal in mind: winning the World Series. After going 92-70 in 2025 and getting eliminated in the NLDS by the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs signed slugging third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency. However, they also lost Kyle Tucker to the Los Angeles Dodgers, so they are going to be hoping their offense and defense do not miss him.

Seiya Suzuki, who is entering the final year of his contract, will play a big role in this. Indeed, the Cubs will need even more from their $85 million outfielder, who clubbed over 30 home runs a year ago. His performance in 2026 will eventually determine whether or not he even returns to Chicago in the future.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki admits his future is uncertain

May 12, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (27) runs after he hits a two run home run against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Jed Hoyer recently said of Suzuki’s 2025 campaign, “It came with some really high highs and some really low lows. I was really happy for him in the way it ended. He was so dangerous for us at the end of the season and so dangerous in the postseason. That was something that was really important to him. He’s a really, really good middle of the order hitter.”

Suzuki hit .245/.326/.478 with 32 home runs and 103 RBI.

And of these comments and the fact that this could be his last year with the Cubs, Suzuki said, “It depends on my performance. If I perform well, I want to stay. I feel like I still haven’t put up the numbers that people are expecting me to. It comes down to how I perform.”

2025 was the first time Suzuki hit more than 30 home runs and drove in more 100 runs. In four seasons with the Cubs, he has a slash line of .269/.346/.472.

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

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