Cubs' Ian Happ faces major problem with upcoming free agency

The Chicago Cubs are going to be busy this offseason, and one of the biggest question marks will revolve around the outfield. Both Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ are hitting free agency, presenting a dilemma for the Cubs' front office.

But for the players themselves, they're likely headed towards very different free-agent periods. While Suzuki is having one of the best years of his MLB career, Happ has been fine, but there's one major issue with his game that could derail his contract talks.

As CBS Sports' Matt Snyder highlighted, Happ's struggles from the right side of the plate could end his days as a switch-hitter. His production has been so poor there that the Cubs outfielder might need to strictly hit from the left side of the plate going forward.

Ian Happ might be forced to give up switch-hitting dream

"The big problem here for the four-time Gold Glover is that he's a switch-hitter who is totally broken from one side," Snyder writes. "As a right-handed hitter, Happ is slashing .150/.223/.276 with 48 strikeouts in 127 at-bats."

That level of production has drastically diminished Happ's chances of landing a big contract this offseason.

While some teams might be okay with him as a switch-hitter thanks to his presence from the left side of the plate and his defense, the value of his new deal surely will be lower than it could be.

Happ's struggles as a right-handed hitter, someone many teams around MLB are searching for, could lead to a weaker pool of free-agent offers from MLB teams.

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Snyder writes that "The career Cub might have to take a one-year deal and ditch the switch-hitting."

That would be far from ideal, but it does show how bad his 2026 production has tanked his free-agent value that this is even being suggested as an outcome this offseason.

Happ's struggles from the right side of the plate are cause for concern and could become a major issue for the fan-favorite Gold Glove Cubs outfielder on the open market.

Unlike Suzuki, who's bound to receive some huge offers this winter, Happ could wind up on a cheap one-year prove-it deal, as he tries to make a case for another long-term contract in his MLB career.

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