Longtime Chicago Cubs fan-favorite veteran’s comments about upcoming contract situation originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The Chicago Cubs have shown over the past decade that they are always looking to save money, which is an unfortunate reality for a team that should be spending more money. While the Cubs have to make smart decisions and not pay players just for the sake of doing so, Ian Happ is an interesting example.
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The veteran outfielder recently said he wants to discuss a contract with management and is willing to have conversations with the organization if those conversations can resume.
“Going back to last time, I always said I was willing to talk about anything,” he said, according to Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times .
A pinch hitter with power and experience, he has become one of the Cubs’ most consistent contributors in recent seasons.
His leadership within the club is just another layer on top of it all, making him more than just the player they want on the field. The problem, however, is that the Cubs have let players like Happ go by the wayside.
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Not that he’s elite, but letting a 120 OPS+ hitter go without replacing him with a similar player will be difficult to justify.
From the Cubs’ perspective, roster direction will play a key role. With the addition of young talent and some veterans, the Cubs could actually retain him and continue to fulfill their potential in the future.
Regardless, his openness kept the door open.
