The Cubs’ outfield could be one of the loudest storylines of the offseason, and Ian Happ is suddenly carrying a question that goes beyond dollars and years: can he keep switch-hitting at all?
Chicago has both Seiya Suzuki and Happ headed for free agency, which puts the front office in a tricky spot. But the two players are not entering the market from the same place.
Suzuki is putting together one of the best seasons of his MLB career. Happ, meanwhile, has been steady enough overall - except for one glaring issue that could drag down his contract talks.
That problem is his work from the right side of the plate.
As CBS Sports’ Matt Snyder put it, "The big problem here for the four-time Gold Glover is that he's a switch-hitter who is totally broken from one side," Snyder writes. "As a right-handed hitter, Happ is slashing .150/.223/.276 with 48 strikeouts in 127 at-bats."
Those numbers are the kind that change how teams view a player on the market. Happ’s left-handed production and his defense still give him value, and some clubs may still be willing to live with the switch-hitting label. But the right-handed side is such a problem that it could shave real money off whatever deal he lands.
Snyder also noted that "The career Cub might have to take a one-year deal and ditch the switch-hitting."
That would be a significant turn for a player whose free-agent outlook seemed far different not long ago. Instead of chasing a major payday, Happ could be looking at a shorter, cheaper contract as he tries to rebuild his value.
For now, the concern is simple: Happ’s struggles from the right side have become a major issue at exactly the wrong time, and they could leave the fan-favorite Cubs outfielder with a much weaker market than he expected.
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