The Cubs face decisions regarding two veteran players, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, who are eligible for free agency after 2026. This comes after the Cubs recently extended contracts for Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner. Other teams have also been extending contracts, primarily with young players.
Evaluating Happ’s Contribution
Happ has consistently delivered around 4 bWAR over the past four seasons. He has won Gold Gloves in each of those seasons. Happ almost always posts an OPS near his career average of .790. You can expect around 22-23 home runs every year from him. He gets a lot of walks, producing around a .340 OBP even with a BA in the .240s. He is a respected clubhouse leader.
Happ has already hit four home runs this year. Last year, he didn’t hit his fourth homer until June 5.
Suzuki’s Performance and Potential
Suzuki has been somewhat injury-prone. He had a breakout 2025 season in which he batted .245/.326/.478 with 32 home runs and 103 RBI. The latter two numbers were career highs, as were his runs total (75), his 31 doubles, and 75 walks.
Suzuki began 2025 mostly as a DH, but when Kyle Tucker went down with various injuries, Suzuki played 48 games in the outfield. He was at least competent in the outfield. He has shown little of the defensive form that had him win NPB’s Golden Glove Award five times.
Suzuki is off to a somewhat slow start this year, .261/.393/.261 (6-for-23), with five walks giving him a decent OBP. That’s only six games for Seiya, and it is believed he’ll come close to matching his 2025 numbers in 2026.
The Big Question: Extend Both, One, or Neither?
- Happ and Suzuki were born 10 days apart.
- Both turn 32 later this year.
- Happ has been a consistent 4 bWAR player over the past four seasons.
- Suzuki had a breakout 2025 season.
The question is whether to extend Happ, Suzuki, both, or neither. One perspective is a preference to keep Suzuki, believing he might provide a bit more power over the next few years than Happ. Suzuki could slide into a DH role if needed.
Happ and Suzuki are free agents after 2026.