The Chicago Cubs would love to retain outfielders Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki.
However, it may turn out that they can only afford one.
Chicago’s pitching staff needs one to two starters and at least a few more bullpen arms.
The money it costs to improve the rotation and bullpen could take Happ or Suzuki out of the equation. Suzuki’s offensive numbers and his younger age will be attractive on the open market.
Bleacher Report’s Erik Beaston wrote that because of that, a reunion between Happ and the Cubs seems more likely.
“As much as it may seem as though Happ is on his way out, and the veteran player has even discussed as much, a new report suggests that is not necessarily the case,” Beaston wrote.
Beaston is referring to a report from The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney and Shahadev Sharma, who reported that re-signing Happ to a “team-friendly” contract is possible.
“As polarizing as Happ is among the fanbase, bringing him back on a team-friendly deal isn’t entirely out of the question. He’s an above-average performer at the plate, a four-time Gold Glove winner, and a valuable presence in the clubhouse,” they wrote.
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In 156 games, Happ had 2.9 bWAR with 24 home runs and a 103 OPS+. He remains an above-average defender in left field.
Obviously, he’s familiar with the Cubs fanbase, and the love the Wrigley Field crowd has for him is clear.
Perhaps the two sides can work out an agreement and keep Happ in Chicago.
