As Spring Training continues on, the concerns of a work stoppage this offseason still loom. It could impact free agency and where players could end up in terms of the open market come next Winter. For the Chicago Cubs, there’s one large pending free agent who could be playing his final season in Chicago.
Outfielder Ian Happ has been with the big league club since 2017 as a staple in the team’s lineup. He’s seen a lot in the Cubs’ post-World Series era and entering 2026, he’s hoping to be a key cog in a playoff run this season. However, free agency is still on his mind as evident by his comments on Monday.
Ian Happ drops interesting quote on his pending free agency with Chicago Cubs
Happ signed a three-year contract extension worth $61M in April 2023 which included a no-trade clause. That kept him here through 2026 and allows both sides to see if there’s still a fit.
While Happ would love to stay in a place that has welcomed him with open arms and he’s become a fan favorite, there is that chance he won’t be back. Here is what he told reporters via Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.
“It’s been a true honor for me to represent this great city, organization and fan base,” Happ said. “The reality of this is ,you can’t control if the team wants you back.its totally plausible another chapter elsewhere awaits me.”
Ian Happ on free agency. “It’s been a true honor for me to represent this great city,,organization and fan base.The reality of this is ,you can’t control if the team wants you back.its totally plausible another chapter elsewhere awaits me.”
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) March 2, 2026
Happ is coming off a season in which he slashes .243/.342/.420 with 23 home runs and 79 RBI’s. It was a solid season offensively for Happ who also helped man down the outfield in the Windy City.
With bigger needs, I imagine the two sides would love to come together for a deal. The Cubs really don’t have another answer right now at the big league level as Matt Shaw has been taking reps but isn’t a full-time replacement just yet. They do have Kelvin Alcantara but it would take a monster season in 2026 to prove it. Ethan Conrad and Kane Kepley aren’t ready either.
With Seiya Suzuki being in a contract year, it might make a lot more sense to try and keep Happ around.
Chicago Cubs: A trade deadline shocker could become reality, per analyst
Read MoreFor More Great Chicago Sports Content
Get the latest Chicago sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, so you never miss a story on your favorite Chicago teams.
Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
