This spring, the Chicago Cubs have secured contract extensions for two significant players: Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner.
A similar trend has been observed across other MLB organizations, primarily involving emerging talents, some of whom haven’t even debuted in a major league game.
The Cubs also have two veteran players, Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, who don’t quite fit the typical mold for these extensions but have been crucial contributors to the team’s success in recent years. Both are slated for free agency after the current season. Remarkably, they share nearly identical birthdates (Happ on August 8, 1994, and Suzuki on August 18, 1994), meaning both will turn 32 later this year.
Happ has maintained a consistent 4 bWAR performance over the last four campaigns. During this period, he has earned Gold Gloves annually and typically posts an OPS close to his career average of .790. Fans can reliably expect around 22-23 home runs each season, along with a high number of walks that contribute to a .340 OBP, even with a batting average in the .240s. He is also a respected figure within the clubhouse. Notably, he’s already hit four home runs this year, a milestone he didn’t reach until June 5 last season.
Suzuki has faced some injury setbacks, but he enjoyed a stellar 2025 season where he achieved a .245/.326/.478 slash line, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 103 runs. These latter two figures, along with his 75 runs scored, 31 doubles, and 75 walks, marked career bests. In 2025, he began mainly as a designated hitter, but due to Kyle Tucker’s various injuries, Suzuki transitioned to the outfield for 48 games, demonstrating competent play. (It’s worth noting, however, that his defensive prowess has rarely matched the five Golden Glove Awards he won in NPB.)
This year, Suzuki is off to a somewhat sluggish start with a .261/.393/.261 line (6-for-23). His five walks have helped maintain a respectable on-base percentage. However, this only reflects six games for Seiya, and I am confident he will approach his 2025 numbers in 2026.
Considering these profiles, which of these two players would you advocate for the Cubs to extend? Both? Or neither?
From my perspective, I lean towards retaining Suzuki. I believe he has the potential to offer more power production than Happ over the next few seasons, and he possesses the versatility to fill a designated hitter role if necessary.