Happ hopes to remain with Cubs: 'I would love to stay here'

Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ is hopeful that the 2023 season won't be his last in front of the fans at Wrigley Field.

"Chicago's the place that is home for me and the only thing that I've ever known," Happ said, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

"As a player who's only known this, you feel pretty at home in the organization and with the group. It would be weird to wear another jersey; I would love to stay here, and I would love to be a part of the next great Cubs team, but we'll see."

Happ will earn $10.85 million in 2023 in his final campaign before he's scheduled to reach free agency. The Cubs took him with the ninth overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft.

The versatile Happ has spent the first six seasons of his career with the Cubs. He's a lifetime .249/.339/.460 hitter with 104 home runs and 308 RBIs across 678 games.

Although he's considered what free agency might look like, Happ is remaining focused on what could be an exciting 2023 season in Chicago.

"There are always considerations there just for what the market looks like, but right now, it's about being here and being present every day, just trying to win," Happ said. "The other stuff takes care of itself."

The Cubs have been active in trying to improve this offseason after finishing with a 74-88 record in 2022. The club brought in veterans Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger, Trey Mancini, Eric Hosmer, and Jameson Taillon, among others, over the winter.