Chicago Cubs News: Ian Happ took less to stay with Chicago

With the happy surprise of Ian Happ signing a contract extension with the Chicago Cubs today, there's much to discuss regarding Happ and the organization's future. It simply did not make sense for the Cubs to let Happ walk and depend on unproven prospects (at the MLB level) and assume they would be able to do what Ian Happ is already doing during a time that the team is looking to become competitive again. Check out this piece from the Score, and let's break down some of Happ's words post-announcement of the extension.

For me just to able to stay here and get the deal done made a lot of sense. This is really rewarding.

Ever since his red-hot start to the year, Happ was already forcing the front office's hand. Always wanting to be a Cub long term, that dream has finally been realized. Happ further went on to speak on compromising, knowing that it would have to be a three-year deal to get done:

I really, really wanted to be here. I really wanted to play with these guys. Nico, Seiya, Taillon, and Dansby, the guys who are going to be here. The city and the fan base and what it means to me, is why I was willing to discuss a three-year term. That was what was going to get it done."

Chicago Cubs: Happ shows loyalty to Chicago by taking less

With the way the free agent market has transpired this past winter, the thought was that it would make more sense for him to test the market once Happ wasn't extended during Spring Training. With the Cubs front office mostly failing to extend its core of the players until Nico Hoerner, the sour taste has recently been in the mouths of Cubs fans since the 2021 trade deadline. That thought, however, can be abolished. Happ is in Chicago because he loves playing for the Cubs and proved that today by inking a shorter deal than he otherwise would have been guaranteed in free agency.

The Cubs now have a solid core of Happ, Swanson, Suzuki, and Hoerner until the conclusion of the 2026 season. With several good pitching prospects in the farm and a plethora of bats making their way through the ranks, the Cubs system is in as good shape as ever. Let's remember the team will again have plenty of funds to allocate toward free agency this winter after the 2023 campaign. The window for competitive Chicago Cubs baseball is rapidly opening.