CHICAGO — Chicago will always remember him for his ‘the speech’, but Jason HeywardHis time as a Cub Scout is coming to an end, even though he still has one year on his contract.
Heyward, 32, will not be back with the Cubs Jed Hoyer, president and CEO of baseball operations in 2023, said Monday.
Hoyer stated, “We want him to have a full offseason in order to be able go out and find an opening.” “We will go our separate ways at the end.”
Heyward, who has been on the injured-list since June due to a knee injury, might not be able to return this season. This means that it is likely that he will have played his last Cub game.
He was signed by the team to an $84, million deal before the 2016 season. The Cubs won the World Series in 2016, their first in 108-years. Many in the organization credited Heyward with helping to inspire the team’s 10-inning win in Game 7, with a speech he gave during a rain delay.
Trotz these heroics, Heyward struggled to hit the plate during his Cubs career. In Chicago, he slashed only.245/.323/.377 in his seven-year tenure.
Hoyer was asked his favorite memory of Heyward’s Cub days.
Hoyer called Hoyer a “great teammate.” “Great defender. He was a person who, even when he was struggling to make it through the season, tried his best every day. He never gave up. Never gave up trying to get his contract. The emotional leader of a group that broke the curse by being here.
Cubs have a youth movement and have a corner outfield ready for next season. This includes Ian HappRumored to have been dealt, but he wasn’t before the trade deadline last week.
Hoyer stated, “We’re most likely to be at the corner outfield next season with Seyia Suzuki and Ian.” “This year, I love having Heyward around. He’s a great leader.”
Hoyer said Heyward was open to a role in the organization, but he indicated that the veteran had told him he wanted to continue playing. It won’t be with Cubs.
Hoyer stated that he and Hoyer felt it was the right decision given our current situation as an organization. “He doesn’t like it, yet he understands where we’re at. It’s been frustrating for the past year and a quarter.
Heyward wasn’t available to comment before the Cubs hosted him Washington Nationals Monday night
Heyward, who was selected by the Atlanta Braves In the first round in 2007 draft. He is a career.257 hitter and has 159 home runs.