Cubs just opened the door for the Reds to sign Ian Happ in free agency

If, and this is a big 'if', but if the Cincinnati Reds truly want to pursue Ian Happ in free agency, the Chicago Cubs just made it a whole lot easier. How, you ask? By not extending a qualifying offer to their free agent outfielder.

The 5:00 p.m. ET deadline has come and gone, and eight players were tagged with a qualifying offer. The Cubs chose to extend a QO to Seiya Suzuki, but Happ will enter the open market unencumbered.

The qualifying offer carries with it a $23.1 million salary if a player accepts. If he rejects, a team must sacrifice a draft pick in order to sign said player. For the Reds, that pick would be their third highest selection.

If, as most assume, Sal Stewart wins the 2026 NL Rookie of the Year award, that draft pick would fall either in the Competitive Balance Round A or Round 2 — meaning it would likely be a top-50 selection in the 2027 MLB Draft. Signing a free agent with a QO attached is something the Reds just won't do.

Ian Happ is in play for the Reds after Cubs decline to extend qualifying offer

But, since the Cubs didn't extend a qualifying offer to Happ, hope remains for those Reds fans who want to see him return to Cincinnati. Happ, of course, spent his collegiate career with the Cincinnati Bearcats and has tortured the Reds for years while playing for their NL Central rivals.

Happ has been a Reds killer throughout his career with the Cubs. In 141 games against Cincinnati, he's hit .269/.381/.558 with 34 home runs and 93 RBI. At Great American Ball Park, he owns a .290/.394/.614 slash line with 19 homers and 54 RBI.

Happ glowingly spoke about the Reds recently, and mentioned his affinity for manager Terry Francona and third base coach Willie Harris. But the pleasantries will quickly take a back seat once the conversation moves from his love of the city and the coaching staff and shifts to finances.

Spotrac pegs Happ's market value at just under $20 million. Given the departures of Eugenio Suarez, Emilio Pagán, Tyler Stephenson, and Brady Singer (plus Jeimer Candelario's salary coming off the books), there's reason to believe the Reds could afford such a contract. But Happ's second-half struggles should serve as a red flag.

Happ had some pretty severe lefty-righty splits in 2026, and hit just .214 during the final two months of the season. The fit isn't perfect, but signing him would at least keep him out of Chicago (or any other NL Central organization for that matter).

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow