You can kind of tell when a team is ready to move on from a player and while they won’t directly come out and say there will be clues. Ian Happ has already commented on the lack of extension talks this offseason and his latest statements regarding his future with the Chicago Cubs sounded like someone who knows he’s not wanted beyond the 2026 season.
Happ, who was drafted by the Cubs in 2015, and made his MLB debut in 2017, is the longest-tenured player on the team. Now, entering his 10th season in the majors, the 31-year-old outfielder is wise enough to know that his place on the Cubs isn’t guaranteed. Happ is in the final year of his three-year contract extension that he agreed to prior to the 2023 season.
The switch-hitting, four-time gold glove winning left fielder will in all likelihood head into free agency following this season and earlier this week Happ was already looking back at his 10+ years in the Cubs’ organization.
Along with Seiya Suzuki, Happ told reporters at the start of spring training that the Cubs had not approached him about an extension, while he publicly stated that he has always been open to engage with the club.
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In 2025, Happ posted a slash line of .243/.342/.420, with 23 home runs and a 116 wRC+. He had a big bounce back after he was removed from the leadoff spot in July. From July 12 through the end of the year Happ recorded an .861 OPS, hitting .271/.372/.489, with 11 home runs in 269 plate appearances. Happ’s 140 wRC+ in the final 2.5 months of the regular season ranked first among all left fielders in MLB.
Overall, Happ has been quite consistent at the plate since he became the Cubs’ every-day left fielder in 2022. Here’s his yearly slash line, wRC+ and fWAR during the past four years.
Ian Happ 2022-25
.271/.342/.440, 122 wRC+, 3.7 fWAR
.248/.360/.431, 118 wRC+, 3.3 fWAR
.243/.341/.441, 121 wRC+, 3.6 fWAR
.243/.342/.420, 116 wRC+, 2.8 fWAR
Happ ranks fifth overall among all qualified left fielders in fWAR since the beginning of the 2022 season.
This one’s tough. I know there’s a portion of the fan base that for some reason absolutely loathes Ian Happ, but he’s been a good player at his position. He does seem like a player who you wish you got more production out of, but actually replacing him is tougher than you think.
The Cubs have a long list of pending free agents following 2026, and right now I don’t think I can blame them for not having Happ at the top of their priority list. Nico Hoerner is also set to be a free agent and his presence to the team may ultimately be of more importance to the Cubs. There’s also Suzuki, the team’s second-best power hitter from 2025, who may take yet another step forward in 2026.
So, what would you do with Happ? Make sure he returns or let him walk in free agency?
