Bears News: Craig Counsell sees Seiya Suzuki as a primary DH

Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - Saturday, January 18 2025

Craig Counsell said at the 2025 Cubs Convention in an interview with host Boog Sciambi that he plans to utilize Seiya Suzuki mainly as the primary designated hitter for the 2025 season.

“Seiya’s gonna DH a lot,” Counsell said. “That’s what’s gonna happen. Kyle’s gonna play right field, Pete [Crow-Armstrong]’s gonna play center, and Ian [Happ]’s gonna play a lot of left field. We feel like we have another outfielder in Seiya if something happens to one of those guys.

Counsell said Suzuki understands the decision.

“But we’ve talked to Seiya this week about that, and he understands it, and he’s on board with it. And things happen during a season. If it doesn’t happen, it’s been a really good season, and if Ian and Kyle are healthy all year and Seiya’s healthy all year, man, that’s a good offense, I can promise you.”

Suzuki was impressive last season, hitting .283 with 21 homers and 73 RBIs.

"Guys get hurt and guys need days off, so there’ll be some opportunities. But if he’s our DH for a majority of the games, he’s a really, really good hitter, so we’re excited about that part."