Happ plans on appreciating each moment in ‘23
This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat e-newsletter. To learn the complete e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it frequently in your inbox.
CHICAGO — Ian Happ took a seat within the Cubs’ dugout throughout the exercise at Wrigley Field on the eve of Opening Day. The outfielder knew the query was coming, however Happ had little to say when the subject of stalled contract extension talks with the staff’s entrance workplace inevitably was raised.
“That’s just not something that I really want to get into,” Happ mentioned. “Went through the process. And that’s about it. There’s nothing really to report. No real comment on it.”
Happ is coming into the ultimate season of contractual management with the Cubs, placing him on a path to free company subsequent offseason. It is an analogous scenario that he noticed play out with former teammates Javier Báez, Willson Contreras, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo in latest seasons. Báez, Bryant and Rizzo had been traded of their last seasons, whereas Contreras was allowed to succeed in free company.
Not solely has Happ discovered from watching every of these gamers undergo their respective conditions, however the outfielder was floated in commerce talks on the Trade Deadline final summer season. He wound up staying put and put the ending touches on his finest all-around marketing campaign. He feels that have has ready him for the months forward.
“Going through stuff last year was pretty helpful,” Happ mentioned. “Going by way of feeling like you are going to get traded and having that have with a [Trade] Deadline might be one thing that helped me simply benefit from the each day and simply get pleasure from being right here. Enjoy the fan base. I’ve mentioned this earlier than, however you play with different guys that find yourself different locations and like, ‘It’s OK.’ And that a part of it’s like, it isn’t the tip of your profession while you’re not taking part in the place you got here up.
“So, there definitely will be moments here or there, but it’s appreciating that and appreciating getting to play with this group. Those are the things that I learned in the last two seasons.”
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer mentioned the ballclub had “really productive and really cordial discussions” with Happ about an extension, however couldn’t discover the widespread floor wanted to complete a deal. Hoyer wouldn’t shut the door on revisiting talks sooner or later, however is aware of Happ desires to give attention to the season at hand.
“He’s an incredible player,” second baseman Nico Hoerner mentioned of Happ. “But his value to our locker room, and to me, just exceeds that tremendously. I’m just incredibly grateful that I’ve gotten to play with him for so long. And, hopefully, I will for a lot longer. He’s just everything that I could ask for in a teammate and friend.”
Looking forward to subsequent winter, Happ could be one of many higher offensive gamers out there on the open market. The All-Star and Gold Glove winner was requested if he’s enthusiastic about that risk.
“I’m excited to play baseball with this group of guys,” Happ mentioned.
