Most Chicago Cubs fans have already started bracing for a future without Ian Happ. By the time 2027 rolls around, the longest-tenured player in the organization may well be wearing a different uniform, and that has less to do with Happ’s production than with where the Cubs are likely to spend their money.
Bleacher Report’s latest prediction only sharpens that picture. The outlet projected Happ for a three-year, $70 million deal that would still keep him on the North Side of Chicago.
On paper, that sounds like a reunion. In reality, it feels like a number the Cubs may not want to meet.
The case for Happ is easy to make if you look at what he’s done over the last few seasons. His game has remained remarkably steady, even if the path there has been full of streaks.
The bat isn’t explosive in every stretch, but the overall results keep landing in the same neighborhood year after year, and the glove continues to matter. There’s real value in that kind of consistency.
The comparison to his last extension tells the story. When Happ agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal ahead of the 2023 season, he was coming off a 2021-22 run that included a .250/.333/.437 line, a 110 OPS+, 42 homers, 18 steals and 5.2 fWAR. He was 27 then, right in the middle of his prime, and had just picked up his first Gold Glove in left field.
Now the numbers look a lot like that again. In 2025-26, Happ posted a .230/.334/.416 line with a 109 OPS+, 47 homers, 10 steals and 5.4 fWAR.
He also added two more Gold Gloves. That puts him at 32 years old with a résumé that still looks strong enough to justify a deal in the same general range as the one he signed before, especially with the salary landscape having moved up over the past three-plus years.
That’s why Bleacher Report’s projection doesn’t feel outrageous from Happ’s side. He’s not attached to a qualifying offer the way Seiya Suzuki is, which leaves him free to chase a strong contract from a contender that wants a dependable corner outfielder with power and defense.
The obstacle is the Cubs’ spending plan, not Happ’s worth. Chicago’s need to rebuild most of a rotation and part of a bullpen is already going to be expensive.
If the club also gets serious about bringing back Suzuki, the payroll pressure only grows. With cheaper left field options available through trade and free agency, it would take a hometown discount that feels far-fetched to make a Happ return happen.
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Cubs Offseason May Hinge On One Bullpen Move
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For Chicago, the interest makes sense as the front office keeps looking for ways to firm up the bullpen while building toward a push in 2027. A proven closer would not solve every issue on its own, but it would give the Cubs a far clearer answer at the back end of games, and the market will show soon enough whether they are willing to make that kind of move. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Could Be Eyeing A Big Bat For A Complicated Fit
The Red Sox have reportedly checked in on Seiya Suzuki, a name that still carries real weight after his career-best season in 2026. For Boston, the appeal is obvious: hes a proven slugger who could deepen a lineup that is already trying to sort out its long-term shape, especially with the possibility of moving Jarren Duran if the front office decides a bigger shakeup is needed.
Suzukis price tag is expected to be hefty, with his market value projected at more than $109 million over four years, and that naturally brings the conversation back to fit as much as talent. His age adds another layer to the equation, leaving the Red Sox to weigh whether the bat is worth the commitment and how aggressive they want to be if they decide to pursue him further. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Could Give The Brewers A Pitching Problem They'd Hate
Dustin May is back on the market, and the Cubs are among the teams keeping an eye on the right-hander as free agency unfolds. Chicago is joined by the White Sox, Padres and Astros in showing interest, a sign that clubs are still willing to bet on the upside of a pitcher whose career has been shaped as much by talent as by injuries.
For the Cubs, the appeal is easy to see. May has logged a career 4.12 ERA, but he has also stayed healthy over the last two seasons, which matters for a market that is always hunting for arms with room to rebound. His past time with the Brewers and Cardinals only adds a little extra intrigue for a division race that could be affected by where he lands, even if the final decision is still up in the air. [Read more 🡒]