How many of the current Chicago Cubs will be with the team in 2022?

Chicago Cubs: Now, we shift our attention to the outfield mix

Outfielder Ian Happ is arbitration-eligible again this winter, one year after getting a nice bump from $603,000 to $4.1 million following a breakout 2020 showing. Unfortunately for Happ, he’s trended in the other direction this year – so any raise he gets will likely be next to nil.

He won’t hit free agency until 2024, so if you’re Happ, you’re just hoping Chicago gives you at least one more chance to figure it out. Otherwise, he could go the way of Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora as former first-round pick outfielders who were sent packing by the Cubs.

Keep an eye on Johneshwy Fargas, he might just take the position away from Happ – that is, assuming the team doesn’t make an offseason move to shore up the outfield depth. Fargas is also a possibility in center, which would send Rafael Ortega to left. At this point I think Ortega is also a shoo-in for next year, although his position remains to be seen.

Lastly, you need to come to terms with it. Jason Heyward is signed through 2023. He will be the everyday right fielder – like it or not.