3 Chicago Cubs prospects that will likely be traded after Ian Happ extension

The Chicago Cubs officially agreed to a three-year contract extension with All-Star left fielder Ian Happ on Wednesday. When the news first broke of Happ's extension with the Cubs, there was a degree of surprise. Since the Major League Baseball trade deadline of 2022, Happ's future with the team has been in question as there was no doubt that the team was having trade discussions with contenders regarding a potential Happ deal.

The Cubs perceived preference to not give Happ a contract extension appeared to be based on the fact that three of the Cubs' top prospects are outfielders in Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kevin Alcantara, and Brennen Davis.

With Happ now in the fold through the 2026 season along with right fielder Seiya Suzuki through 2027, there now is only one long-term opening in the Cubs outfield. It would seem likely that some of the Cubs' outfield prospects will be traded over the course of the next season or two as the team looks to shift to a full contender at the Major League level.

3 Chicago Cubs prospects that will likely be traded after Ian Happ extension - Brennen Davis

Davis entered the 2022 season as the Cubs' top prospect but was unseated after Crow-Armstrong had a breakout season in his full season in the team's minor league system. 2022 was a wash for Davis as a back injury forced him to miss a majority of the season and he enters 2023 with the goal of regaining some of his prospect value.

Davis may be closer to the Major League level for the Cubs but there is no question that Crow-Armstrong is on the cusp of being a blue-chip prospect.