3 Cubs players who’ll be better in 2023, and 2 who won’t
By Tim Boyle
Why Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki will have a better year in 2023
The Cubs and their fans were probably hoping for more out of Seiya Suzuki in 2022. He batted .262/.336/.433 for them in 446 trips to the plate. Suzuki added 22 doubles, 14 home runs, and drove in 46.
Suzuki is signed for four more seasons and the contract goes way up beginning in 2023. Although it doesn’t make a difference toward the luxury tax, seeing an $18 million payday compared to the $8 million he received as a rookie in 2022 is too hard to ignore.
Suzuki is about to get paid star money. He didn’t look like a star in 2022. With an improved lineup around him, it’s time for Suzuki to start feasting.
Transitioning from one country to another is never easy. Suzuki seemed to be affected. He wasn’t anywhere near the 38 home run guy he was during his final seasons with Hiroshima in 2021. Finding his home run swing is something all fans would like to see.
Staying on the field is even more important. He missed all of June with an injury. He did, however, come back with a home run in each of his next two games against the Milwaukee Brewers beginning on Independence Day. Big swings like this will be more commonplace.