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

Feb 25, 2023; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Brennen Davis (94) at bat in the fourth
Feb 25, 2023; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Brennen Davis (94) at bat in the fourth / Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
1 of 3
Next

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.

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

Alexander Canario suffered a freak injury during a winter league game last fall that resulted in surgery being needed for an injured shoulder and ankle. Canario hit 37 home runs across three levels of the Cubs' organization last season and was likely going to play a factor in some form at the Major League level this season.

Canario is not expected to be cleared to return until the second half of this season and it would seem likely that if he can prove to be healthy, he will be a trade candidate this offseason. Canario may have been discussed in trade discussions this past offseason has he not suffered the injury.

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

Owen Caissie enters the 2023 season as the Cubs' 13th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Fresh off participating in the World Baseball Classic this Spring with Team Canada, there is a belief that Caissie may have the rawest power of any of the team's outfield prospects. The power has yet to be on display in the Cubs minor-league system and he has struggled to start the season with Double-A Tennessee. Caissie is slashing .188/.235/.250 through his first 17 plate appearances with the Smokies.

Caissie was already facing a crowded path to the Cubs' outfield at the Major League level and the Happ extension does not help his cause. If Caissie can show that he has the power that the Cubs believe him to have, it's possible he is a designated hitter candidate for the team but a trade seems like the likely outcome.

Next. Ian Happ agrees to three-year deal extension with Cubs. dark

Next