Will Cubs trade elite prospect Ian Happ? |
ESPN Senior Writer Keith Law discussed the different available options in free agency for baseball teams and shared that the Cubs might have Ian Happ as trade bait for their future pitching needs.
"If Happ's name is unfamiliar to you, well, I don't even know why we"'re friends," Law said. "Happ was the Cubs' first-round pick in 2015 and had a solid pro debut across two levels in 2016, but he's totally blocked in Chicago right now with Javier Baez probably locked in at second base and the outfield replete with guys worthy of playing time. Happ has played first base and all three outfield spots in pro ball, and I even saw him play a few innings at shortstop in college, but second base is probably where he'll be most valuable in the long-term. He could be a Jason Kipnis sort of player at his peak, maybe a little better on defense, since Kipnis converted to second so late. The Cubs are clearly in win-again mode, and I expect Happ to at least be dangled in any talks for an impact major leaguer this winter." In 2016, he batted .279 with 30 doubles, 15 homers, and 73 RBIs. The Cubs drafted switch-hitter Happ with the #9 overall pick in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
