http://ondeckcircle.sportsblog.com/posts/24639586/is-it-time-to-sit-jason-heyward-.html[h=1]Is It Time to Sit Jason Heyward?[/h]
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</picture> Josh Thomas [/URL] <time datetime="2016-08-30"> Aug 30, 2016</time> Follow Josh Following
The year is 2016, and the Chicago Cubs are poised for a legitimate run at a World Series title.
It feels like forever ago was the last time the Cubs were relevant in the NL Central, but gone are the days of basement dwelling. The new Chicago Cubs, lead by budding superstars in Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Willson Contreras, among others appear primed to explode. The talent the Cubs roster have is nothing shy of staggering, and there's more where that came from. Bryant is straight up mashing at the dish, and is currently sitting at 7.6 WAR entering play (www.fangraphs.com). He's a legitimate threat for the NL MVP crown, excelling at third base and in the outfield. He's rapidly pursued by incumbent shortstop Addison Russell, who's managed to average .243 on the year while smacking 19 homers and maintaining excellent defensive grades at short (17DRS). In all likelihood, Russell will finish the season a Gold Glove finalist and will be the Cubs undisputed shortstop of the future. That's to say nothing of breakout players Willson Contreras and Albert Almora (both better than replacement level already), or injured slugger Kyle Schwarber. With all the success the Cubs have had this season, it's hard to believe that anyone on this roster could afford to struggle and still maintain his playing time. Believe it or not, Jason Heyward finds himself on the outside looking in.
A longtime Brave, Heyward was dealt to St. Louis a year ago where he spent just one season before bolting for Chicago on an 8 year, $184M dollar contract last December. The signing could be easily considered one of the better signings of the offseason, as Heyward is youthful at just 26 when he signed the deal. He is well known as an elite defender in right field, and has shown value both with power and on base. Heyward posted a 12% home run to fly ball ratio, and made hard contact on 29.1% of his hits. Heyward also posted an excellent wRC+ of 120, and accompanied that offensive value with his signature defense - he ended the season with an incredible 24 DRS and 22.6 UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating).
Heyward's season, on top of his prior accolades, were a perfect storm. Young, talented with the bat, speedy on the bases and unrivaled with the glove- Heyward's market was buzzing.
[h=2]Jason Heyward (Cardinals)[/h]
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Chicago formally announces Jason Heyward's signing
Last season was exemplary, and there's little doubt that at some point over the life of the deal, Heyward will return to form. The only real question is, can the Cubs afford to wait on him this year?
[h=2]Jason Heyward (Cubs)[/h]
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Heyward's production has been in a tailspin all season, one that's resulted in him hitting in the bottom half of the order. He's, of course, still better than most team's depth options at the corner outfield positions, but this may not be the case with the youth-rich Cubbies. Jorge Soler has struggled and Heyward is an improvement over him, but Willson Contreras has seen time in left field and has handled the position well. Fangraphs records him as a plus defender in left, and switching to right could be a possibility. Albert Almora also waits in the wings, another top prospect from an era of excellent drafting and developing. Almora is a natural center fielder but will be blocked until Dexter Fowler is injured or wears someone else's uniform- he too could be a suitable defender in right. Ben Zobrist has also logged significant outfield time, and is currently sitting at 3.3 WAR on the year. All of these options are significant offensive upgrades over Heyward this season, and with no end in sight, perhaps that's Joe Maddon's best option. Heyward is still a superb defender in right, and could be used as a defensive substitution and as a left-handed bat on the bench with power. Heyward will rebound from his struggles, but with rosters set to expand in September, it just might not be this year.
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The year is 2016, and the Chicago Cubs are poised for a legitimate run at a World Series title.
It feels like forever ago was the last time the Cubs were relevant in the NL Central, but gone are the days of basement dwelling. The new Chicago Cubs, lead by budding superstars in Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Willson Contreras, among others appear primed to explode. The talent the Cubs roster have is nothing shy of staggering, and there's more where that came from. Bryant is straight up mashing at the dish, and is currently sitting at 7.6 WAR entering play (www.fangraphs.com). He's a legitimate threat for the NL MVP crown, excelling at third base and in the outfield. He's rapidly pursued by incumbent shortstop Addison Russell, who's managed to average .243 on the year while smacking 19 homers and maintaining excellent defensive grades at short (17DRS). In all likelihood, Russell will finish the season a Gold Glove finalist and will be the Cubs undisputed shortstop of the future. That's to say nothing of breakout players Willson Contreras and Albert Almora (both better than replacement level already), or injured slugger Kyle Schwarber. With all the success the Cubs have had this season, it's hard to believe that anyone on this roster could afford to struggle and still maintain his playing time. Believe it or not, Jason Heyward finds himself on the outside looking in.
A longtime Brave, Heyward was dealt to St. Louis a year ago where he spent just one season before bolting for Chicago on an 8 year, $184M dollar contract last December. The signing could be easily considered one of the better signings of the offseason, as Heyward is youthful at just 26 when he signed the deal. He is well known as an elite defender in right field, and has shown value both with power and on base. Heyward posted a 12% home run to fly ball ratio, and made hard contact on 29.1% of his hits. Heyward also posted an excellent wRC+ of 120, and accompanied that offensive value with his signature defense - he ended the season with an incredible 24 DRS and 22.6 UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating).
Heyward's season, on top of his prior accolades, were a perfect storm. Young, talented with the bat, speedy on the bases and unrivaled with the glove- Heyward's market was buzzing.
[h=2]Jason Heyward (Cardinals)[/h]
| Games | 154 |
| Plate Appearances | 610 |
| Average | .293 |
| Runs Scored | 79 |
| Runs Batted In | 60 |
| Home Runs | 13 |
| Stolen Bases | 23 |
| Wins Above Replacement (WAR) | 6.0 |
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Chicago formally announces Jason Heyward's signing
[h=2]Jason Heyward (Cubs)[/h]
| Games | 115 |
| Plate Appearances | 487 |
| Average | .233 |
| Runs Scored | 49 |
| Runs Batted In | 36 |
| Home Runs | 6 |
| Stolen Bases | 8 |
| Wins Above Replacement (WAR) | 1.3 |
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Heyward's production has been in a tailspin all season, one that's resulted in him hitting in the bottom half of the order. He's, of course, still better than most team's depth options at the corner outfield positions, but this may not be the case with the youth-rich Cubbies. Jorge Soler has struggled and Heyward is an improvement over him, but Willson Contreras has seen time in left field and has handled the position well. Fangraphs records him as a plus defender in left, and switching to right could be a possibility. Albert Almora also waits in the wings, another top prospect from an era of excellent drafting and developing. Almora is a natural center fielder but will be blocked until Dexter Fowler is injured or wears someone else's uniform- he too could be a suitable defender in right. Ben Zobrist has also logged significant outfield time, and is currently sitting at 3.3 WAR on the year. All of these options are significant offensive upgrades over Heyward this season, and with no end in sight, perhaps that's Joe Maddon's best option. Heyward is still a superb defender in right, and could be used as a defensive substitution and as a left-handed bat on the bench with power. Heyward will rebound from his struggles, but with rosters set to expand in September, it just might not be this year.
