Three Outside Candidates to Replenish The Atlanta Braves Outfield

Option 2: Bring in NPB Star Seiya Suzuki

Many saw star Seiya Suzuki in the 2020 Olympics representing Japan. Outside of the Olympics, Suzuki has electrified Nippon Professional Baseball.

Playing for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Seiya Suzuki has earned five NPB All-Star awards, four Best Nine Awards, and was the NPB 2019 Central League Batting Champion and Central League OBP Leader.

In 2021, Suzuki lit up the NPB yet again, slashing .319/.436/.640 and hitting a career-high 38 home runs. Suzuki also posted a career-high 1.079 OPS in 2021. After putting up those numbers in Hiroshima, Suzuki has drawn comparisons to Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., who said he was on track to return in May.

Suzuki is also electric in the field, having earned three Central League Golden Glove Awards. This fielding presence would be a huge addition for the Braves, who need more defensive support.

Through the posting process, Suzuki has drawn interest from multiple teams and has found himself as one of the top targets in free agency. However, the impending lockout will only hinder his arrival to a team in Major League Baseball.

With the posting process, Major League Baseball has brought in 21 players from Nippon Professional Baseball, including Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki, five-time All-Star pitcher Yu Darvish and reigning American League MVP Shohei Ohtani.

MLB sportswriter and reporter Jon Paul Morosi writes that “Suzuki won’t be subject to international signing bonus limitations because he’s at least 25 years old with six or more seasons of professional experience.” With this in mind, it could be easier for the Braves to come up with a manageable contract for Suzuki.

Seiya Suzuki has proven himself to be an extremely valuable player with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and has already drawn interest from multiple MLB teams. With the addition of an exciting player like Suzuki in the lineup, Atlanta could see another scary lineup in 2022.