The Chicago Cubs have been busy behind the scenes to start the 2026 season. Team officials recently rewarded two star players with long-term contract extensions. Pete Crow-Armstrong initially signed a six-year, $115 million deal on March 26 to remain in Chicago. Just a few days later, Nico Hoerner also agreed to a six-year, $141 million contract. Both players will now remain with the club until at least through the 2032 campaign.
Crow-Armstrong’s deal was hardly a surprise for Cubs fans. After all, the dynamic youngster has become an All-Star and an MVP candidate at the age of 24. Hoerner, however, is perhaps a different story. The Gold Glove second baseman was linked with a move away from the North Side for practically the entire winter. Hoerner’s previous contract was set to expire at the end of this season.
While tying down both stars is certainly good news for the Cubs, the moves may negatively affect another key player. Ian Happ is also in his final year under contract with Chicago. The four-time Gold Glove winner previously signed a three-year, $61 million extension with the club in early 2023. Despite his impressive play in recent years, there is speculation that Happ will ultimately depart the team in the next offseason.
Mike Mulligan and David Haugh of 104.3’s The Score both recently claimed that Happ is not expected to receive a new deal from the Cubs. Mulligan even suggested that including a no-trade clause in the star’s current contract was a mistake. According to the commentator, the stipulation played a major role in why he is the longest-serving player on the team.
Ian Happ Admits 2026 Could be Final Year With the Chicago Cubs
GettyIan Happ is currently the longest-serving Cubs player.
Happ is certainly well aware of his precarious future. In fact, the outfielder even recently admitted that this could very well be his final season in Chicago. “It’s been a true honor for me to represent this great city, organization, and fan base,” Happ told reporters in early March, as reported by Bruce Levine.
“The reality of this is you can’t control if the team wants you back. It’s totally plausible another chapter elsewhere awaits me.”
Happ has played his entire professional career with the Cubs organization. The star was previously selected in the first round of the 2015 draft by the club. After receiving Rookie of the Year votes in 2017 and MVP votes in 2020, Happ became an All-Star in 2022. He has since collected four consecutive National League Gold Glove awards, mostly being deployed in left field.
Chicago Likely to Look In-House for Happ Replacement
While the Cubs may not be willing to reward Happ with a new deal, they do not exactly have a ton of options looking ahead. As The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney points out, Randy Arozarena, Trent Grisham, and Daulton Varsho are expected to be the top free agent outfielders in 2027. None of these players has matched Happ’s WAR over the last few seasons, though.
Kevin Alcantara could very well be seen as the future in Chicago. The fourth-ranked prospect in the organization was recently optioned to AAA Iowa to start the 2026 season. Matt Shaw may also become an option to potentially help replace Happ. The versatile infielder/outfielder has featured in the outfield to start the season.
Cubs Unlikely to Give All-Star New Contract Extension