After finally spending some money this offseason, the Chicago Cubs have finally gotten close to the luxury tax ($244 million), having the ninth-largest payroll in Major League Baseball ($240.872 million).
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Despite the Cubs’ spending, none of it has come in the form of contract extensions. According to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times, neither of the Cubs outfielders, All-Star left fielder Ian Happ and right fielder/designated hitter Seiya Suzuki, received extensions.
Happ: “Going back to the last time, I’ve always said I’d be open to talking about anything.”
Suzuki (via interpreter): “I want to work hard and perform well, and hopefully they say yes.”
Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki said the Cubs haven’t yet engaged them in extension talks.
Happ: “Going back to the last time, I’ve always said I’d be open to talking about anything.”
Suzuki (via interpreter): “I want to work hard and perform well, and hopefully they say yes.”
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) February 16, 2026
Happ has been a Cub since getting drafted out of the University of Cincinnati in the first round (ninth) of the 2015 Draft (nine seasons), while Suzuki has spent his entire five seasons as a Cub since signing from the NPB in 2020.
The Chicago Cubs will likely sign one and not both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki
MLB: Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers May 3, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joseph Ortiz (3) completes a double play after forcing out Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ (8) in the seventh inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Between the two, Happ and Suzuki are making $38 million ($19 million each) and offer the Cubs two contrasting players to think about keeping around. Happ is a four-time Gold Glove winner in left field — providing eight defensive runs saved for the Cubs in left — while Suzuki is more suited as a designated hitter, given his power (career high 32 home runs in 2025).
Happ has also proven to be more durable than Suzuki, playing in 619 games since 2022 (averaging 154.75 games), while Suzuki has played in 532 games (averaging 133 games). The factor of Suzuki being more expensive as a potential free agent could play a factor, as his power numbers could net him a decent deal on the free agent market. If he has a good season, Suzuki could find himself signing a deal similar to Nick Castellanos in 2022 (five years, $100 million).
With no talks in sight, president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, is likely to let the season play out before thinking about signing either to an extension.
Oct 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) makes a catch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning during game four of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
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