Inside The Cubs

Chicago Cubs All-Star Will Go Into Season Without Contract Extension

The Chicago Cubs and Ian Happ were unable to reach a contract extension before MLB Opening Day.

Ryan Sikes

Chicago Cubs All-Star Will Go Into Season Without Contract Extension
Chicago Cubs All-Star Will Go Into Season Without Contract Extension /
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According to recent reports, the Chicago Cubs and outfielder Ian Happ could not reach an agreement on a contract extension before Opening Day.

Happ, 28, had a breakout season in 2022, posting a .271/.342/.440 slash line with 17 home runs and 72 RBI. He earned his first All-Star nod and Gold Glove for his play in the outfield.

The former ninth overall pick in the 2015 MLB draft is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, and he will undoubtedly look to cash in. That doesn't bode well for the Cubs, given their recent history with free agents.

However, the organization recently locked up Nico Hoerner to a contract extension, keeping him in a Cubs uniform for a year longer than if they hadn't. 

They had hoped to do the same with Happ before the season, with the notion that no contract negotiations would occur during the season.

Happ will look to put himself in a good position to get paid next offseason, whether it be with Chicago or another team.

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Ryan Sikes
RYAN SIKES

Ryan is a Chicago Cubs writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside The Cubs, an IBWAA member, and has followed the Cubs since the mid-1990s. He grew up in the Rockford area and used to attend a handful of games every summer at Wrigley Field, including Aramis Ramirez's walkoff home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007 after the Cubs trailed 5-0.He attended the University of Iowa and currently resides in the western suburbs. In addition to covering the Cubs, he covers the USHL for FloHockey and NCAA hockey for College Hockey News. When he's not writing or watching sports, he enjoys hanging out with his wife and three kids.

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