Ian Happ remains a Chicago Cub as the trade deadline passes

After all the rumors and potential offers, Ian Happ came out of the 5:00 PM ET trade deadline remaining with the Chicago Cubs. For many Cubs fans, this is a breath of fresh air as one of the players that the team has homegrown was not shipped off again.

Both Happ and Willson Contreras seemed destined to be traded at this year’s deadline but they were in the original starting lineup on Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Happ has had an interesting path to his All-Star season this year. He was once a top prospect in the Cubs organization and after some early success in his career, he found himself demoted to Triple-A to start the 2019 season.

He played very well in the shortened 2020 season, even receiving one MVP vote that year. He struggled again to start the year last season but found his grove after the trade deadline in 2021.

Enter the 2022 season, Happ has found a way to get on base more while striking out less. His high OBP as well as his run production this year led him to his first All-Star selection. He had lots of interest from around the league.

Ian Happ is going to remain with the Chicago Cubs for the rest of the season.

Many teams were rumored to have an interest in Happ, especially the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Yankees.

The Cubs seemed to have high asking prices for both Contreras and Happ, which led to nobody wanting to meet the team’s demands so they will both stay. With Happ remaining a Cub for the near future, what does this mean for the rebuild?

There is a good possibility that the Cubs look to contend next year (at least for a wild-card spot). They will have money to spend and having a sure thing in left field in Happ means the team can focus their resources on other positions.

The Cubs do have outfield prospects that could make big league appearances, such as Pete Crow-Armstrong, Brennan Davis, and Kevin Alcantara but Happ being only 27 and coming off such a good season should mean he is part of the future of the team.

With him, Seiya Suzuki, and an open spot in center field, the Cubs could potentially have some outfield prospects that are available to trade for big league talent.

Of course, there is a chance that Happ gets traded in the offseason or at next year’s trade deadline, especially if the team is underperforming next season. Still, for now, Ian Happ will stay a Chicago Cub during his career year and I could not be happier about it.