MESA, Ariz. – Center fielder Ian Happ won his arbitration case against the Cubs on Friday, per report. 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 lead-off hitter, which had gone on since Dexter Fowler left the Cubs in 2017.
The switch-hitting center fielder took the opportunity to play everyday 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.