The Chicago Cubs announced some big news on Wednesday.
They reached an agreement with homegrown star Ian Happ on a contract extension.
It is a three-year, $61 million deal, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Outfielder Ian Happ and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a three-year, $61 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The deal will run from 2024-26 and takes one of the best potential free agent bats off the market. First on the scene was @Michael_Cerami.
—Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 12, 2023
Happ was scheduled to hit the market after the 2023 season.
Now, he is under contract until 2026 for a hefty sum.
Fans reacted to the news on Twitter, and they mostly feel happy that one of the best post-World-Series-run prospects developed into a reliable everyday contributor and is now about to get paid.
Forks! He deserves it.
Ian Happ, Cubs agree to 3-year extension https://t.co/fq96yiN9Z3
— Jodi (@GenuinelyJodi) April 12, 2023
So glad to see Cubs extend Ian Happ. He is the anchor of the team. But there is a lot of talent this year to work with! #cubs
— Dave Dockery (Doc) (@graphxdave) April 12, 2023
It seems like yesterday that Happ and catcher Willson Contreras shared a hug prior to last year’s trade deadline because the team was allegedly discussing them in trade scenarios.
Last July looked like a goodbye for Ian Happ.
.
Now the All-Star & Gold Glove winner is sticking around with the Cubs for a few more years, in a reversal of a previous team trend.
.
More on Happ’s contract extension #WGNNewsNow desde @WGNNews here: https://t.co/VAvxsdq5iM pic.twitter.com/PJYGYdr7tK—Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) April 12, 2023
Both men ended up staying to finish out the 2022 campaign.
Contreras then signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, but Happ stayed.
The Cubs are competitive again, and that has enabled win-now moves for them like extending Happ.
Before Wednesday’s games, they were 6-4 on the young season and have a realistic chance to make the postseason.
Happ will be one of the most important men on that quest.
He is having a good year so far, slashing .314/.467/.514 with a homer and a stolen base.
He has been one of the best Cubs in the last few years and owns a fine .802 OPS for his career.
A good hitter and a fine fielder, Happ contributed a career-high 3.6 fWAR (Wins Above Replacement) in 2022.
He is still in the prime of his career, at 28 years old, and should remain highly effective for the duration of his deal.
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