Ian Happ has witnessed how this example has performed out along with his former Chicago Cubs teammates.
Hours earlier than the Cubs formally introduced Nico Hoerner’s three-year contract extension — masking the second baseman’s closing two years of arbitration and one 12 months of free company — Happ mirrored on the annual uniqueness of opening day on the eve of the season opener towards the Milwaukee Brewers.
Happ, 28, enters his closing season earlier than free company and not using a contract extension, a subject he downplayed earlier than the Cubs’ exercise Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
“It’s not something I really want to get into,” mentioned Happ, the ninth choose within the 2015 draft who’s coming into his seventh major-league season with the Cubs. “I imply, I went by means of the method and that’s about it. There’s nothing actually to report and no actual touch upon it.
“I’m excited to play baseball with this group of guys.”
Team President Jed Hoyer prefers not having contract talks carry into the season. In the absence of an extension, Happ’s future in Chicago features some readability. It units him as much as take a look at free company, and he could possibly be the second-best hitter in the marketplace if he replicates his 2022 All-Star efficiency. And that possible costs him out of the group and the place the left fielder and the Cubs can discover center floor.
Happ credit final season’s expertise — he thought he would get traded earlier than the deadline — and watching the departures of former Cubs stars the final two years by means of trades and free company with serving to him navigate the uncertainty round his future. He sounds ready if 2023 proves to be his final in a Cubs uniform.
“Just enjoy the day to day and enjoy being here, enjoy the fan base,” Happ mentioned. “You play with guys that end up other places and it’s OK — it’s not the end of your career when you’re not playing where you came up. There definitely will be moments here or there, but it’s appreciating that and appreciating getting to play with this group.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com