The Texas Rangers should look to sign outfielder Seiya Suzuki
The Texas Rangers are not made of money. The odds of them acquiring Carson Kelly and Sonny Gray, signing Clayton Kershaw, and signing Seiya Suzuki are slim.
But if there is a hole in the club’s offense aside from the catcher position, the outfield could use a bit of an upgrade. Nick Solak, Adolis Garcia, and Kole Calhoun are currently projected to be the club’s Opening Day outfield from left to right. While it’s not the worst outfield in MLB, Seiya Suzuki would make the outfield alignment look a whole lot sexier.
The 27-year old outfielder is looking to make the transition from the Japanese Hiroshima Carp to Major League Baseball. He has been cited as “the best player in Japan” per MLB Trade Rumors and has drawn widespread interest across the board since he expressed his desire to come overseas.
Over the course of his nine-year career in Japan, Suzuki has appeared defensively at all three outfield spots, but is projected to be more of a corner outfield option than a center fielder, despite the fact that he has notable experience in center. A four-time Gold Glove winner in right, Suzuki would be a nice fit in one of the corners for Texas should they look to sign him.
On offense, Seiya Suzuki has been dominant. The right-handed slugger has hit no less than 25 home runs in a year in each season between 2016 and 2021, while maintaining a batting average above .300 in each year as well. Last season was one of Suzuki’s best years in Japan, as he hit 38 home runs in 134 games, driving in 88 and hitting .317. Striking out 89 times while walking 88 times, Suzuki has shown an excellent eye at the plate and a knack for hitting for power and possessing speed on the base-paths. Usually a perennial stolen base threat, he stole just nine bases in 2021 after putting up 25 just two seasons ago.
Seiya Suzuki has been one of the most hyped-up free agents in the 2021-22 offseason, and rightfully so. The list of interested clubs is extensive and he should land a pretty nice payday in the coming season, maybe even with the Texas Rangers.