MLB Rumors: Ian Happ hints that Braves, Mets wanted to trade for him

Cubs outfielder Ian Happ details just how close he was to getting traded last offseason, naming the Braves and the Mets as two potential suitors.

Earlier this month, the Chicago Cubs and Ian Happ agreed to a three-year, $61 million contract extension to keep the free-agent-to-be at Wrigley Field, but Happ’s future as a Cub wasn’t always so rosy.

Happ and the Cubs were actually nearing a fork in the road as chatter of Happ’s potential trade increased this past offseason.

According to Happ, while there were no concrete offers from teams, there were “opportunities” to explore different avenues. New York presented one such opportunity, as did Atlanta and Toronto.

In a recent interview with Jason Kipnis, Happ revealed that he was mentally preparing himself for a trade, but he was ultimately “pumped it didn’t happen.”

Cubs’ Ian Happ had potential trade suitors in Braves, Mets, Blue Jays

From a financial perspective, one could argue that the Cubs made a savvy deal to keep Happ in Chicago, signing a fan-favorite without overpaying.

Happ certainly could have commanded a more lucrative deal given the open-market deals for players at his position (Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos), yet there was something to be said for his own personal interests as well.

In the past, Happ has mentioned how much he loves Chicago and how much he considers it his home, and that factor likely played a key part in his decision to ink an extension before free agency.

Last season, Happ set career highs in hits, runs, and RBIs and also earned his first All Star honor; this season, he’s been chugging along with two homers and 12 RBIs in 56 at-bats and is slashing .321/.426/.536.

Neither he nor the Cubs seem to have any regrets about his agreed upon $20 million average salary, and Happ in particular seems happy to be staying with the only team he’s ever known.

Chicago’s core — Happ, Suzuki, Taillon, Swanson — is set, and the team could be gearing up for an imminent playoff run. The work’s not over for Happ, but at least rampant rumors about his future can be put to rest for now.