Chicago Cubs Rumors: Local insider offers predictions for year ahead

Ian Happ finishes the 2023 season on a different team than the Chicago Cubs.

Unlike the 2022 season with catcher Willson Contreras and how it was clear that there was no future for Contreras with the Chicago Cubs, the same can't be said for Ian Happ as he enters his final season before reaching free agency. Happ earned his first National League All-Star selection of his career last season with the Cubs while also earning a Gold Glove award for the first time in his career.

As Sharma pointed out, the idea of the Cubs trading Happ at the Major League Baseball trade deadline next season does not necessarily mean that the Cubs will be sellers. There is a scenario where the Cubs could move Happ at the deadline and get a piece in return that is able to contribute at the Major League level right away.

Barring an extension in Spring Training, trading Happ at the deadline makes the most sense for the Cubs as it outweighs the risk of losing him for only a compensatory pick at the end of the season. The Cubs have three prospects in MLB Pipeline's Top-100 prospect list and all three are outfielders. Factoring that with the notion that Seiya Suzuki is still under team control for three more seasons after the 2023 season and that could result in the Cubs being open to the idea of losing Happ.