After defeating the 100-win Cardinals in 4 games during the NLDS, the Cubbies decided to make it hurt a little more, by taking John Lackey out of the Red Birds rotation with a 2-year deal. Then, the Cubbies sucker punched the World Series champs by adding Ben Zobrist to the Chicago club on a new 4-year contract. But, just a couple days ago, the Cubs threw the knockout punch to the Cardinals of the offseason so far, as they officially inked Jason Heyward to his new 8-year contract worth $184 million. The 97-win club may be stating that Heyward was a crucial addition, but the real reason for the signing, was to get underneath St. Louis’ skin. The Cubs may be needing another outfielder now that Dexter Fowler is a free agent, but to be honest, after making the NLCS, did the club really need to spend $184 million?
At first glance, Jason Heyward is not worth the value of his new contract, but the 8 years sounds right, as he is only 26 years of age, and is entering his prime. A career batting average of .267, while hitting around 16 homers every season with 26 doubles and 14 stolen bases, seems pretty solid, and may be worthy of a contract around $100 million for 6 years, but not one that gives him an annual salary around $23 million. However, with his ability to reach base (career .353 OBP), contribute 85+ runs a year to his team with a WAR of over 6 three times during his career, and possessing 3 gold gloves, a player like Heyward may be as valuable as $20 million a year. Teams who believe Heyward is a franchise changer may even be obligated to give him a contract in the neighborhood of what the Cubs gave him, but are the Cubs really in need of a player like J-Hey?
Yes the Cubbies needed to acquire an outfielder this offseason, but the other area in need of help is the bullpen. 97 wins is hard to repeat for any team, but remember, Chicago did it without Heyward, instead they accomplished the 97 with an outfielder who will receive a contract about $100 million less this offseason in Dexter Fowler. Chicago could have easily attained their 97 wins in 2016 by spending less dough. Instead of signing a player to a huge contract that he has not proven to live up to yet, the Cubbies could have gone out and resigned Fowler, gotten Alex Gordon for around $100 million, grabbed Gerardo Parra who hit over .300 in 2015 with 2 gold gloves in his career, or traded for an outfielder. The rest of the money could have gone to bolstering the pen by inking Darren O’Day, Ryan Madson, Joakim Soria, or some other free agent relievers. Because of the cheapness of bullpen pieces, the remaining money would have been smart to use on bench guys to add depth. The Cubbies still have some money left over to spend on the necessary holes in the roster, but not as much as they should have. But, what’s done is done, and Heyward is going to be very valuable to the Cubs’ organization. With his stellar glove saving 72 total career runs, and having a high OBP with potential pop (career high 27 homers in 2012), the J-Hey Kid should be a star in Chicago.
