Ian Happ’s path back to the Cubs got a lot murkier when Chicago passed on giving him a qualifying offer, and that decision may have opened the door for other clubs to move in without the draft-pick penalty attached.
That matters because Happ’s market could be stronger than it looks at first glance. Yes, his 2026 struggles could weigh on him. But with so few established hitters available in free agency, a veteran outfielder with a track record still has a chance to draw real interest.
Seattle has already surfaced as one of the teams to watch. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that the Mariners have expressed interest in the former Cubs left fielder, and the fit comes with an obvious tie: Jason Kanzler, whom Seattle just hired away from Chicago to be its next manager.
Kanzler had been the Cubs’ farm director, so he knows Happ well enough to understand what he can bring. Morosi also said the Mariners want to get better defensively, which lines up neatly with Happ’s profile.
Cincinnati is another club with a familiar face in the mix. The Reds hired Anthony Iapoce as their hitting coach earlier this week, and Iapoce held that same job with the Cubs from 2019 through 2021. Happ’s best seasons in Chicago came after Iapoce’s run ended, but the connection has still been noticed in Cincinnati as the Reds look like a possible suitor.
There’s still a case for Happ returning to Chicago, especially on a shorter deal. The Cubs likely would have viewed him as a platoon piece moving forward, but a team like Seattle or Cincinnati could offer him a bigger role. And while Happ has clearly enjoyed his time with the Cubs, the end of the 2026 season felt like a natural stopping point for both sides.
Chicago also has a roster decision to make beyond just Happ. If there isn’t a trade, the Cubs will have to balance staying in contention with getting younger, and moving on from Happ would create more room for Pedro Ramirez and Matt Shaw. The tradeoff is obvious, though: letting him leave would also leave the Cubs more vulnerable to an offensive step back next season.
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The Cubs are headed into an offseason that figures to revolve around pitching, and David Peterson has quickly become one of the more interesting names on their list. After being acquired last season, the left-hander settled in and showed a noticeable jump in performance, enough to make him a legitimate candidate for a return as Chicago looks to fill out its staff.
Petersons value is not just in what he did after joining the Cubs, but in the flexibility he brings to a roster that may need multiple arms before spring training. The complication is that Chicago is not alone here, with several teams said to be interested in him, which could turn a straightforward re-signing into a more competitive bidding situation than the Cubs might prefer. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Could Eye A Familiar Rebound Bet As Outfield Questions Grow
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Grishams appeal is tied to the idea that there may still be more in the bat than his recent results have shown, while his defensive profile gives him a safer floor than many free-agent outfield options. Add in the fact that he has dealt with injuries, and the Cubs could see him as the sort of low-risk signing that makes sense if they want to keep flexibility while addressing a need. Whether Chicago decides to push in that direction will say plenty about how aggressively it plans to reshape the outfield. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Rotation Rebuild Just Got Tougher Than Fans Expected
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Imanagas departure would leave another notable hole for a staff that needs more than just a tweak. Chicago is unlikely to make re-signing him the top priority, which puts the spotlight squarely on how aggressively the Cubs will shop for arms and how quickly they can add them. The rotation rebuild was always going to matter, but losing a pitcher of Imanagas caliber would make the task feel even more urgent. [Read more 🡒]