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The Cubs have avoided arbitration with switch-hitting outfielder Ian Happ, but the team could not settle on a salary with soon-to-be free agent catcher Willson Contreras.
Contreras, 29, is in his final year of team control and is slated to be a free agent following the 2022 season. Meanwhile, Happ will be able to test free agency after the 2023 season. Still no word on Harold Ramirez salary status. He was picked up by the Cubs from Cleveland this offseason and is still under team control through 2025.
Source: Ian Happ, Cubs settle at $6.85 million, avoiding arbitration.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 22, 2022
Happ and the Cubs did not come to an agreement last offseason and the two sides ultimately went to an arbitration hearing. Happ came out winning, getting $4.1 million in 2021, while the team had filed at $3.25 million.
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As for Contreras, his 2022 salary will be determined at an arbitration hearing.
Cubs catcher Willson Contreras won’t be settling on a contract for 2022 today. The two sides will go to a hearing, per source.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 22, 2022
MLB Trade Rumors’ annual projections for arbitration salaries had the following for the trio of Cubs.
- Willson Contreras (5.108 years of service time) – $8.7 million
- Ian Happ (4.036 years of service time) – $6.5 million
- Harold Ramirez (2.124 years of service time) – $1.6 million
UPDATE
The Harold Ramirez mystery has been solved! He already agreed to a deal before the Cubs traded for him back in November. Also, Michael Hermosillo’s contract was re-worked following the raise on the league minimum that was agreed to during the lockout.
Some paperwork info: Cubs renegotiated MLB contracts of OF Michael Hermosillo ($707,000) and OF Harold Ramírez ($728,000) in light of increased MLB minimum. Hermosillo originally signed $600K deal on Dec. 1. Ramírez had a deal with CLE before being acquired by Cubs in November.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 23, 2022
