It was an eventful day for the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday as news broke that they had signed their star left fielder, Ian Happ, to a new contract extension. The three-year, $61 million deal keeps Happ on the North Side through much of the expected contention window.
Happ and the Cubs had been trying to get a deal done before Opening Day and when that did not materialize, the two sides continued into the beginning of the season.
However, according to NBC Sports Chicago, Happ did admit he spoke with a Chicago legend before inking the deal - Anthony Rizzo.
“I definitely talked to Rizz,” he said. “He’s such a good friend. Seeing those guys (including Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras) and being there with those guys through the process and learning from his experience and having his guidance (was huge).”
The report also says that Rizzo spoke with new Cubs starter Jameson Taillon before he signed a deal in free agency to join Chicago's rotation.
Well, Cubs fans can tip their hat to Rizzo once again for helping lockdown their left fielder for the foreseeable future.
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