Cubs News: Chicago will keep Ian Happ as a part of their core

The Chicago Cubs were sellers at the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline. One of the big pieces that it looked like they would be on the move is outfielder, Ian Happ.

Happ was linked with Willson Contreras as the two big players that the Cubs would trade but they ended up moving neither of them.

The difference is that Happ had an extra year of control. Contreras walked in free agency to the St. Louis Cardinals while Happ reported back to the Cubs.

Now, Happ is going to stick around for a long time as he has signed a three-year deal worth 61 million dollars. This deal will keep him in a Cubs uniform through the 2026 season.

Ian Happ is going to stick around with the Chicago Cubs for a while.

This isn’t something that only impacts the Cubs. One of the best players of the upcoming free agent class is now off the market before the 2023 season was even three weeks old.

Happ is a very good player that is going to help the Cubs a lot throughout his contract. He is an outstanding outfielder that brings a big bat to the lineup every day.

The Cubs are building a nice core with guys like Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and Seiya Suzuki amongst others. We have been wondering if Ian Happ will be a part of that conversation and now we know the answer.

The Cubs and Happ were loyal to each other throughout this process and it has paid off for them. Now, they have this solid core that they can build around going forward.

It is on the Cubs’ front office to take care of this core now and in the coming years. They have played well to start this season which is a good sign but there is more that they need to accomplish. There is a lot of work to be done but locking up Happ is a great step.