Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are both free agents after 2026. Who should the Cubs keep?

This spring, the Cubs have given contract extensions to 2 key gamers — Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner.

Other groups have accomplished the identical, primarily with younger gamers, some even with gamers who’ve but to play a MLB recreation.

The Cubs have two veteran gamers who do not actually match both class above, however who’ve both been essential contributors to the crew in recent times — Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. Both are free agents after this season. They are nearly precisely the identical age, born 10 days aside (Happ, Aug. 8, 1994 and Suzuki, Aug, 18, 1994). So both turned 32 later this 12 months.

Happ has been a constant 4 bWAR participant over the previous 4 seasons. He’s received Gold Gloves every of these 4 seasons, and nearly all the time posts an OPS close to his profession common of .790. You know you are going to get round 22-23 residence runs yearly from him, plenty of walks that produce round a .340 OBP even with a BA in the .240s. He is a revered clubhouse chief. He’s already hit 4 residence runs this 12 months — final 12 months he did not hit his fourth homer till June 5.

Suzuki has been a bit injured-prone, however had a breakout 2025 season during which he batted .245/.326/.478 with 32 residence runs and 103 RBI. The final two numbers had been profession highs, as had been his runs complete (75), his 31 doubles, and 75 walks. He started 2025 principally as a DH, however when Kyle Tucker went down with varied accidents, Suzuki performed 48 video games in the outfield and was at the least competent. (Granted, he has proven little of the defensive type that had him win NPB’s Golden Glove Award 5 occasions.)

Suzuki is off to a considerably gradual begin this 12 months, .261/.393/.261 (6-for-23), with 5 walks giving him a good OBP. But that is solely six video games for Seiya, and I really feel sure he’ll come near matching his 2025 numbers in 2026.

So of those two, which one would you need the Cubs to increase? Or both? Or neither?

Personally, I feel I’d reasonably preserve Suzuki. It appears to me that he would possibly present a bit extra energy over the subsequent few years than Happ, and he may slide right into a DH position if wanted.