The New York Yankees are 54-35 and still have a strong chance of making the postseason. However, the past three weeks have been difficult. They have dropped out of first place in the American League East, posting a 5-14 record since June 13. The roster is in need of a spark. Could Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ supply one for the Bombers?
According to Sports Illustrated’s Evan Massey, they should explore it if Chicago makes him available before the July 30 trade deadline. “New York does not need to add outfield depth. However, Happ may come in and help them change up their roster and lineup slightly,” he said. “Adding excellent depth is critical for a team like the Yankees that want to challenge for the championship. Happ would provide exceptional depth and potentially find a spot in the lineup.
Massey further claimed that Happ “could be a perfect fit for the Yankees at a very reasonable price.”
Happ is in the middle of a three-year, $61 million contract deal with the Cubs that he signed in April 2023. According to Spotrac, he will make $21 million in 2024 and $19 million in 2025 before becoming free agent.
How Happ Could Fit In with the Yankees
Happ’s 2024 productivity does not stand out, but his offence would be a nice addition to the Yankees’ lineup. In 338 plate appearances, he has hit.227/.343/.416 with 11 home runs, 44 RBI, and 45 runs scored. According to FanGraphs, Happ’s.759 OPS ranks him fourth among qualifying New York hitters. Only Aaron Judge (1.149), Juan Soto (.997), and Giancarlo Stanton (.795) currently have a higher OPS than Happ.
As Massey stated, the Yankees do not necessarily require another outfielder. However, if they recruited a productive player like as Happ, it would be easy to find a place for him to play. Alex Verdugo, an offseason acquisition, has seen his output decline in recent weeks. He has 350 plate appearances and is hitting.241/.300/.387.
Happ might return to left field, where he spent the majority of his 2024 playing time. The 29-year-old has played all three outfield positions and might offer Judge a break in centre field. Happ has spent substantial time at second and third base early in his career. The Yankees have previously stated that they are interested in improving their infield, so that may be another option.
Are the Yankees looking at a different Cubs slugger?
If the Cubs decide to sell at the trade deadline, the Yankees might be more interested in Happ’s teammate, Cody Bellinger. The 2019 National League MVP Award winner would help the Bombers’ offence while also becoming a more natural fit on the diamond. Bellinger has played a lot of centre field in 2024, but he is also comfortable at first base.
A potential Bellinger-to-the-Bronx scenario has received a lot of attention over the past year. The Yankees were linked to Bellinger before the trade deadline last summer, and again this offseason, before acquiring Soto from the San Diego Padres.
Bellinger’s $30 million salary would be expensive for New York in terms of luxury taxes. However, the prospect of future flexibility increases. The left-handed slugger inked a three-year contract that featured player opt-outs in 2024 and 2025. As a result, the Scott Boras client appears to be a likely candidate for free agency again. Even if he opts in to 2025, he could play first base, and New York could just refuse Anthony Rizzo’s club option.
In either case, the Yankees’ lineup might use a shake-up. Bellinger appears to be a better fit for the club, but Happ could be an interesting option for this season and the 2025 team if he becomes available.
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