CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ has agreed to a three-year, $61 million extension.
The 28-year-old Happ, who would have been a free agent after this season, will be part of the Cubs through at least 2026. He’s made no bones about his desire to remain a Cub and has taken on a leadership role in the clubhouse since the 2021 trades of Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant.
The two sides talked about an extension this offseason but failed to get anything done before opening day. President Jed Hoyer said on March 30 they had “really productive and cordial discussion throughout the winter and spring,” but that wouldn’t preclude them from trying to reach a deal during the season.
“That certainly doesn’t mean we can’t (get a deal done) in the future and doesn’t mean we don’t value him as a player and want him long term,” Hoyer said.
Some players cut off negotiations once a season begins, but Happ obviously wanted to keep talking.
“To me, that’s always a player thing, the in-season stuff,” Hoyer said. “I don’t have to hit a fastball or play left field. it doesn’t affect me. I can sit at my desk any day, you know? That’s a player issue, not me. But I’m super respectful of that. I know how hard it is to perform in general, and having negotiations going on can be really difficult for some guys.”
Happ has 105 career home runs and an .802 OPS in his seven seasons with the Cubs. He made the National League All-Star team last season and won his first Gold Glove award. Going in Wednesday’s game, he had a .314 average, one home run and six RBIs with a .981 OPS.
Nico Hoerner signed a three-year, $35 million deal at the start of the season that also takes him through 2026, which would have been his first year of free agency. Happ’s deal of course is much larger, but the relatively short length of both deals is in line with the Cubs preference for not being tied up with too many long-term contracts.
“A lot of the same things I’ve said about Nico are true of Ian,” Hoyer said on March 30. “Great person. Great representative of the team in Chicago and in the country. Really good switch-hitter, really left fielder, and we’d love to have him for a long time.”
Three years is not a long time compared to many other free-agent contracts. But Happ will be a 32-year-old free agent in 2026 and should be able to command another lucrative deal if he continues at his current pace.
