Finalizing contract extensions with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner over the past week, the Chicago Cubs have taken a clear stance that they believe their contending core will remain sustainable through at least the 2029 season, when Dansby Swanson’s contract expires. It’s led to a renewed conversation surrounding Ian Happ’s status with the team, considering he is a free agent after this season. <\/p>\n
During spring training, Happ sounded like someone with the realization that he was facing his last summer in Chicago. <\/a>Happ took a team-friendly extension to remain with the Cubs the last time he was set to become a free agent, and for each side, there shouldn’t be much urgency to seek out a similar deal this time around. <\/p>\n Happ entered the season angling toward being one of the best free-agent hitters on the market next offseason. Helping his cause is that he entered Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels with 3 home runs and a wRC+ of 184 through his first 23 plate appearances<\/a> this season. At that clip, Happ is going to get paid next offseason. <\/p>\n Ian Happ has been a model of consistency for the Cubs, but there’s no need for an extension. <\/p>\n For the Cubs, there are several reasons why they may not be in a rush to sign Happ to an extension. The first being that an opening in left field would give top prospect Kevin Alcantara a clear runway at the major league level. Adding to that, if the Cubs remain confident in Matt Shaw, he will also need an open spot in the outfield. <\/a><\/p>\n Looking beyond Alcantara and Shaw, Seiya Suzuki is also a free agent at the end of the season. Considering the power that Suzuki has tapped into in recent years, he could have a stronger case to be brought back by the Cubs instead of Happ. <\/p>\n