Report: Mariners interested in 4-time Gold Glove OF Ian Happ

The Seattle Mariners are reportedly looking at a player from their new manager’s old team to fill an open spot and help improve their defense.

MLB Network insider Jon Morosi reported Wednesday that the Mariners are interested in outfielder Ian Happ, a four-time National League Gold Glove winner with the Chicago Cubs who is currently a free agent.

Dipoto says improving defense is Mariners’ top offseason priority

The M’s filled their manager position last week by hiring Jason Kanzler, who spent the previous three seasons as the Cubs’ director of player development.

In his report on social media, Morosi pointed out that Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said improving the team’s defense is a top priority, and Happ’s reputation as one of the best defensive players in left field – where current free agent Randy Arozarena played last season for Seattle – makes him a prime target.

The Mariners are interested in free agent Ian Happ, for some very clear reasons:

Jerry Dipoto says improving defense is a top priority; Happ owns 4 Gold Gloves.

Jason Kanzler knows Happ from their time together in the Cubs organization. @MLBNetwork @SeattleSports

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 11, 2026

Happ won an NL Gold Glove in each year from 2022-25 and was again a finalist for the award in left field for this season. The 32-year-old Happ brings plenty of value with his arm alone, as his nine outfield assists in 2026 tied for eighth-most in MLB. Per Baseball Savant, Happ ranked in the 96th percentile in MLB with an arm value of 5 last season. He was in the 72nd percentile with a range metric of 1.

A switch-hitter, Happ is also known for his pop at the plate. He has hit 21 or more home runs in four straight seasons and five of the last six. But even though he had 24 homers last season, he had his worst year in terms of slash line, as he hit just .218 with a .326 on-base percentage and .412 slugging for a .738 OPS. All of those marks except for the slugging percentage were career lows. He had a 2.7 bWAR in 2026.

One of Happ’s best series of last season came at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, where he went 4 for 10 with two homers (including a grand slam), a double and six RBIs over three games in August.

Happ debuted for the Cubs in 2017 at 22 years old. A first-round pick in 2015 out of the University of Cincinnati, the Pittsburgh native was an All-Star in 2022. He is listed at 5 foot 10 and 205 pounds.

Happ isn’t the only Cubs outfielder who is apparently of interest to Seattle. Seiya Suzuki, a 32-year-old slugger who has played five seasons with the Cubs since making the jump from Japan, was reported to be a target in free agency for the Mariners by The Seattle Times on Tuesday.

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