MLB Rumors: Favorite Emerges in Chase for Japanese Superstar Seiya Suzuki

The race for Seiya Suzuki—the man who's been called "the Japanese Ronald Acuna Jr."—is heating up. A new report on Thursday cites the leading contender for his services as the San Francisco Giants. 

Suzuki and his agent have been having virtual meetings with as many as 8 of his major league suitors, including leading contenders to sign him such as the Giants, the Seattle Mariners, the Chicago Cubs, and the San Diego Padres. But according to Peter Gammons, at this point, the Giants have the edge over the runner-up Mariners. 

New report suggests Mariners are among the favorites to sign OF Seiya Suzuki. And the GM consensus right now is the Giants get him ahead of the Mariners. https://t.co/fng3YWiJPE

— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) January 27, 2022

Universally agreed as the best player in Japan, Suzuki is planning to travel to North America for face-to-face interviews as soon as the lockout is lifted. 

It's also come to light, according to Nikkan Sports in Japan, that teams with an Arizona spring training base hold an edge over Florida-based teams, which helps explain the supposed 'final four' teams mentioned above. 

The Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and both New York teams have also been mentioned as being in the mix, but all of them train in Florida, so it would be an uphill battle for any of those squads to successfully woo Suzuki.

As soon as a collective bargaining contract is struck between MLB and the players union, Suzuki and his agent will hit the ground running. There are 20 days left in his 30-day posting window to sign a deal.