Cubs may have already circled who will be Ian Happ's replacement in 2027

Ian Happ can be under-appreciated by Chicago Cubs fans while the best course for the Cubs may be to let him walk via free agency next offseason. Both those things can be true. There likely is a path where the Cubs and Happ could find common ground on a new contract, but as things stand now, the likeliest outcome appears to be the veteran outfielder playing elsewhere in 2027.

One of the biggest decisions the Cubs will have to make next offseason is the plan for their outfield. Pete Crow-Armstrong is a lock to be in center field, but both Happ and Seiya Suzuki are free agents. While the Cubs were working out new deals for Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner at the start of the season, the impression was that there was no progress in talks with either of the veteran outfielders.

Assuming the Cubs are comfortable losing Happ and Suzuki after the season, they certainly have soem internal options that can replace them. Kevin Alcantara, Matt Shaw, and Pedro Ramirez likely are at the top of that list. There can be some risk to that strategy, and that could explain one name the Cubs are keeping an eye on this season.

Teruaki Sato might be a name Cubs fans need to know

A report out of Japan confirms the Cubs who had scouts in Japan to watch third baseman/outfielder Teruaki Sato. The Cubs have certainly worked hard in recent years establishing a pipeline between their organization and talent coming over from Japan, and Sato would be a logical target for them next season.

Last season, Sato posted a .924 OPS in 597 plate appearances with 40 home runs. The 27-year-old appears to be taking it a step further at the start of the 2026 season. Through his first 43 games, Sato has a slash line of .372/.454/.737 with 12 home runs. He's certainly developed a power approach over the last two seasons, and beyond just the need for an outfielder, the Cubs quietly lack a legitimate power hitter in their starting lineup.

Given the success that Munetaka Murakami has had with the Chicago White Sox this season, chances are that will lead to a healthy market for Sato once he does get posted. The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are among the other teams expected to have interest.

It would be curious to see if the Cubs like Sato enough to enter a potential bidding war. Their history would suggest they don't move off their contract projections, considering they weren't willing to match Tatsuya Imai's contract with the Houston Astros last offseason. Sato's profile as a position player may be an easier projection, though.

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