(670 The Score) Cubs outfielder Ian Happ is unsure if his future will be a matter the organization looks to address this offseason, but his hope is to have negotiations that lead to an agreement on a long-term contract.
"Right now, I have no expectations of what will happen," Happ told 670 The Score recently. "We still have games to play, and I must concentrate on finishing the season strong and being a good team player. We will see what transpires when it's over. I have another year of arbitration to go through. If there are any discussions we have, I am hoping we can get into it in the offseason.
"You do learn not to take anything for granted. You also learn that you can't stress out about things you don't control. I love it here, and they know that."
Happ, 28, is under team control through 2023, so he has one more year of arbitration left after making $6.85 million this season. Entering Thursday, Happ was hitting .272 with 17 homers, 66 RBIs and an .801 OPS in 139 games this season, when he earned All-Star honors for the first time. Happ landed in trade speculation ahead of the deadline, but the Cubs kept him.
"Finishing this year strong and getting more out of myself is the goal," Happ said. "I think there is a lot left in the tank. It's been good this year for the most part but not scorching. So even with a good finish, there is still a lot of learning for me that will make next year even better. I have grown in my hitting on both sides of the plate and on defense. I am hoping to build on that going into next year as a Cub."
With another strong season under his belt, Happ also took a moment to reflect on his professional journey, which included a demotion to Triple-A Iowa just before the start of the 2019 season. That was a point of great anger for Happ, who also learned a few lessons from it.
"It was a brutal day for me," Happ said. "The hardest part was winning a division (in 2017) with the team and being on the one (in 2018) that slipped away after winning 95 games, (that) hurt me. My explosion was pretty impressive, and you can ask the people in the room that day about it. I did not throw or break anything, but it was loud and went on for a while. I was pretty honest about the fact they were wrong. It was a really hard two months in the minor leagues for me. I changed my swing at their request, and it didn't work. I felt betrayed because I was being punished for doing something they suggested. Did I learn anything from it? I guess I matured and gained some perspective about being your own hitting coach and critic, being an expert on your own swing and tools. It took me the long three months in the minors to gain that confidence."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
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