3 Cubs players whose no-trade clauses could complicate the offseason

The Chicago Cubs are about to embark on yet another murky offseason where the team will likely be unable to make significant additions to the lineup due to several no-trade clauses on the payroll.

As things stand, next year's Cubs lineup will probably look very similar to the one we saw in 2024. Michael Busch has carved himself out a nice role at first base, where he has excelled on defense and proved himself to be a fairly capable hitter. Pete Crow-Armstrong has used his unbelievable speed and glovework to claim center field. Obviously, his bat is a concern. But the team has shown they are willing to give Crow-Armstrong time to develop as a hitter, and we've seen the 22-year-old taking major steps forward in that area in recent months.

At the hot corner, it would be foolish to move on from Isaac Paredes until he is given more time to settle in, especially given the players the Cubs used to land the third baseman. Cody Bellinger seems likely to opt in to his contract for 2025 after a relatively down year plagued by a finger injury. The catcher position seems like the only one that can be seriously upgraded, especially when you take these four no-trade clauses on the books into account.

1. Cubs veteran outfielder Ian Happ insisted on a full no-trade clause

Left fielder Ian Happ has two more years left on his deal after signing a contract extension before the 2023 season. His full no-trade clause means that Happ will be the everyday left fielder next year and for good reason. This has been one of the best seasons of Happ's career, where he entered the final series of the year already having tied his career-high in home runs with 25, leading the team in RBI (86), runs (89) and walks (78).

Happ has also taken home Gold Glove awards in back-to-back seasons and will likely compete for a third this year. He has been the complete package and emerged as a leader in the clubhouse, being the longest-tenured active Cub aside from Kyle Hendricks.

Taking all of this into consideration, the team would be foolish to move on from Happ even if they could. Unless they want to eat $40 million over the next two years for nothing, Happ is staying with the Cubs because of his no-trade clause. This reality gives the veteran peace of mind and stability, but it makes the team less likely to add any high-value free agents this offseason.

Even pondering Happ not being with the Cubs is more of a testament to where the team is than his value. The Cubs are starved for sluggers and although Happ has made strides in that department, he is nowhere near the very best power hitters in the game. The fact that Happ has a no-trade clause is great for him and he deserves the stability, but it does limit the team's roster flexibility.

3. Seiya Suzuki makes it two Cubs outfielders with a no-trade clause

Seiya Suzuki is another tricky case in the outfield logjam. If Bellinger doesn't opt out of his contract, he will likely be the everyday right fielder next year, or at least get the majority of playing time at the position. Right field did, of course, belong to Suzuki for the last three seasons, but Crow-Armstrong's emergence has made Suzuki the odd man out defensively.

This means that Suzuki will have to be the designated hitter most of the time, as he is one of the most effective hitters in the lineup. Suzuki leads the Cubs in batting average (.281), on-base percentage (.361), and slugging (.482) and has taken his offensive game to new heights since moving into the DH role full-time.

The reality of this situation is that the Cubs don't currently have room to add any of the power hitters hitting free agency this offseason, like Teoscar Hernandez, Anthony Santander or Pete Alonso. The no-trade clauses for Happ and Suzuki have backed the front office into a corner, where the only options for making room are moving Crow-Armstrong, one of the most promising young players in MLB, or Bellinger, who has an MVP-caliber ceiling.

I'm not saying I want Suzuki or Happ to get traded, especially because they were the club's best performers this year. It's just important to keep in mind what the front office has the ability to do on the offensive side this offseason. Keeping these no-trade clauses in mind, there isn't much flexibility outside of moving very talented players to make room for free agents. I expect the offense will look very similar unless Bellinger opts out, which is looking very unlikely.

Let's not overlook these honorable mention no-trade clauses

Shota Imanaga: According to Spotrac, Imanaga will receive a full no-trade clause if either of the club options on his current deal are exercised.

Jameson Taillon: Taillon has a 10-team no-trade clause with two years left on his deal. Whether this factored into the Cubs not trading him this year is unknown, but Taillon figures to be a mainstay in the rotation regardless.