MESA, Ariz. — Ian Happ won his arbitration case against the Cubs on Friday, per league sources. Happ will make $4.1 million in 2021. The team filed at $3.25 million. Happ was the Cubs’ breakout star and ended the team’s search for a leadoff hitter, which had gone on since Dexter Fowler left the Cubs in 2017.
The switch-hitting center fielder took the opportunity to play every day and ran with it, beating out former Cub Albert Almora Jr. for the job. Not only did Happ play well in the shortened 60-game season, he led the team in almost every major offensive category.
Happ slashed .258/.361/.505 with a team-leading 12 homers, 23 RBIs and a 131 OPS+. He also led the Cubs in hits, doubles, OPS and was tied for the team lead with 30 walks.
It’s the first arbitration case the Cubs have had since reliever Justin Grimm in 2018 and just the third since 1993.
