Amid the good vibes of the Chicago Cubs' big winter and hot start to the 2023 MLB season, there was one dark cloud on the horizon: The team had yet to lock up homegrown outfielder Ian Happ, who was entering the final year of his contract after several years of solid production.
The two sides met regularly throughout the spring, but once the Cubs broke camp and headed back up to Chicago it was assumed that talks would stall during the regular season. About that:
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