The Dodgers announced Thursday that they’ve signed free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward to a minor league contract and invited him to Major League Spring Training.
The Cubs released Heyward earlier this offseason. He’d been slated to head into the 2023 campaign in the final season of his eight-year, $184MM deal signed prior to the 2016 campaign. Chicago remains on the hook for the bulk of Heyward’s $22MM salary in 2023, and the Dodgers will only owe him the prorated league minimum for any time spent on their Major League roster or injured list. That sum would be subtracted from the $22MM owed by the Cubs.
Heyward, still just 33, spent seven seasons with the Cubs but struggled to live up to the expectations of that contract. After hitting .293/.359/.439 with all-world defense in his lone season as a Cardinal prior to reaching the open market, Heyward hit just .230/.306/.325 in the first season of his eight-year deal. The Cubs won the World Series that year, with the final victory famously preceded by a spirited clubhouse speech from Heyward during a rain delay. That makes for a good anecdote but ultimately does little to overshadow a generally underwhelming tenure with the Cubs.
Heyward posted above-average offensive numbers with the Cubs only in the 2019 season and in the shortened 2020 campaign, when he combined for a .255/.355/.435 output in 770 plate appearances. That solid run was bookended by a total of five sub-par seasons at the plate, though, and Heyward’s final batting line as a member of the Cubs clocked in at just .245/.323/.377. He provided plus defense, value on the bases and was clearly an important figure in the clubhouse, but there’s no getting around the fact that the contract didn’t pan out anywhere close to how either party hoped. By measure of wins above replacement, Heyward gave the Cardinals nearly as much value in 2015 (5.6 fWAR, 6.8 bWAR) as he gave the Cubs over a seven-year period from 2016-22 (8.2 fWAR, 8.9 bWAR).
The Dodgers will hope that a change of scenery, some different coaching and some input from a different data/analytics team might be able to help Heyward tap into some semblance of his old self. Righting this ship will be a tall order, as Heyward’s once-elite defensive grades have dwindled down to nearly average. Heyward still possesses a strong arm, but he was never a burner in the first place and Statcast ranked his 2022 sprint speed in the 44th percentile of big leaguers.
Heyward won’t be guaranteed anything more than an opportunity with the Dodgers, who’ll be able to cut him loose at any point in camp if they wish to allocate his Cactus League at-bats to younger options. That said, there’s at least some degree of an opportunity for him, at least as things currently stand with the L.A. roster. Having non-tendered Cody Bellinger and lost Trea Turner to the Phillies via free agency, the Dodgers currently have some unsettled spots in the lineup. For now, Chris Taylor seems likely to move from left field to second base, with Gavin Lux sliding to shortstop. That creates some more fluidity in an outfield mix that right now might contain both Trayce Thompson and 25-year-old rookie James Outman.
There will certainly be more moves on the horizon for the Dodgers, whether they pivot and make a play for Dansby Swanson at shortstop — they’re reportedly not pursuing Carlos Correa — or whether they bring in some new talent to deepen the outfield mix. Any subsequent additions could serve to further limit Heyward’s chances, but there’s little harm in bringing him to camp this spring and seeing if they can conjure up yet another successful reclamation project.
Jason Heyward *minor league deal*
Whoah. Never thought I’d read that
Except he’s been worthy of a minor league deal for like 5 years now? Are you living in 2015?
Haha, yes captain obvious, I am aware of his ongoing decline. Simply pointing out that he’s had a huge fall from grace. Long time coming since that first ab home run off Zambrano. Thanks for chiming in!
Dude has the longest swing I’ve ever seen. He wouldn’t be able to turn around my 70 MPH fastball.
Agree – needs to work on bunting. Good pickup from the dumpster
I honestly first read this article thinking the Dodgers signed him a minor league coach.
Jason Heyward gets knocked a lot but he was an excellent trier out there… No one tried the game with more heart and intensity than Jason Heyward…
Huge fall from grace? In what universe? He’s been bad for years and was never ever great offensively….
Except he’s been above replacement level the 4 years before last year.
Time to hit mute. Can’t even express a normal, non hyperbolic fan reaction without having jackals come out of the woodwork to overanalyze. There’s nothing to discuss here guys!!!! Lol. Just making a an observation. Holy poop
I think Lyman was agreeing with you and disagreeing with Rols…
LOVE the use of the word jackals, need to get that back in circulation…
Yes I was
He also says out of the woodwork a lot, even though I’ve only noticed his tag here recently lol.
But in all seriousness SODO, I’m glad you’re here contributing even if we argued hard about Porcello the other day. I enjoy your posts. Just realize that sports talk is often times going to get heated and sometimes it goes into the realm of other topics in life. Some people do need to be muted, I have a few. But if you mute everyone that annoys you you’re going to miss out on a lot of the fun
@Lyman, two years.
He’s been a frequent poster for two years? It’s weird I never noticed him until recently. But that’s cool, I enjoy his posts.
Not surprised… he is an ex-Cubbie!
Heyward donated a lot of his time and money to Chicago charities.
So I credit Jason for that!
He’s heavily involved in alt-Left causes of that’s something to be proud of.
Oh someone mentions “left” or “right” or “liberal” or “trump” or “republican” with some sort of influenced connotation; while we’re trying to talk baseball?
You have JUST BEEN MUTED
I don’t see those type comments so they must have come from people I already muted for those type comments already.
MUTED for you maybe.
Big deal.
What did that accomplish?.
Nottingham, I’d like to point out that Heyward has donated to, for example, food banks and a y0uth sports complex. The fact that you think these are somehow extremist causes says a lot about you (and what it says is not terribly positive).
Leave the political rhetoric out of a purely baseball discussion, please and thank you.
Mute button is a valuable navigation tool, makes conversations much more pleasant.
Bb has always been a reflection of society, so I’m not surprised when politics and irrelevant connection connection to charities seeps through.
Personally, I think there are commie trolls and other subversives, trying to undermine our country, our culture.
Baseball is America -Worldwide!
They traded Bellinger for Heyward lol
They aren’t paying either though.
Take that Padres!
LOL
I heard he turned down the 8 year deal the Padres offered.
Haha, comment of the day!
Lol well done
Heyman had Arson Heyward going to the Giants
I’m kinda surprised he didn’t land like a guaranteed 1 year 3 million dollar deal just for his defense.
Any deal he signed was going to be either a minor league deal or a league minimum ML deal because the Cubbies are still on the hook for his salary
@garebare
Oh yeah that’s true, thanks I forgot about that.
Garebear, you did that wrong, you were supposed to call them names there.
MLB contracts are offsetting, so the Dodgers or any other team would have no incentive to pay him more than the minimum since the Cubs are already paying him regardless.
If anything, he could have landed a guaranteed league minimum deal, but no team is going to pay him more than that since the money would essentially be going to the Cubs and not Heyward
The question is still valid: Couldn’t he really find any major-league deal? There wasn’t even a price-sensitive team like Oakland or Cincinnati willing to try and catch lightning in a bottle? Because cracking the Dodgers roster has been rather difficult recently.
Gruß,
BSHH
Also surprised. I’m sure some team would give him a ML min deal but I guess he settled for some future certainty and probably has a ST opt-out.
He could have kept RF warm until Colas gets promoted!
Colas is going to platoon in right with Tyler Naquin.
That was 2 weeks ago. Maybe now, not so much.
I agree except let’s put Vargas at 3rd.
he still qualifies as a “change of scenery candidate”…
maybe 7 years later, but this guy was great for Braves and Cards.
so technically the jury is still out that he just wasn’t a fit with the Cubs.
The 2nd sentence of the 2nd paragraph.
At least scan the article prior to commenting
“Chicago remains on the hook for the bulk of Heyward’s $22MM salary in 2023, and the Dodgers will only owe him the prorated league minimum for any time spent on their Major League roster or injured list. That sum would be subtracted from the $22MM owed by the Cubs.”
Perfect Bellinger replacement. Pencil in the same 210 average and 200 ks
That’s actually not a bad comparison. It makes a lot of sense. Both looked insanely promising at a very very young age and then their batting skills dropped off a cliff, while their defense and base running were still top tier.
I said the same thing when the cubs signed bellinger haha
Except Heyward does not have a history of striking out at a high rate. Good chance Outman gets a lot of playing time this year and having a guy like Heyward who’s been near the top of the mountain and is now just a serviceable defensive replacement is good. Let Outman just soak in the knowledge of a veteran who has seen ups and downs. I think LA will sign Brandon Nimmo and go into 2023 with
Nimmo CF
Betts, RF
Freeman, 1B
Smith, C
Muncy, 3B
Taylor, 2B
Lux, SS
Outman, LF
Vargas, DH
This didn’t age well. 🙂
2019-2022
.224/.310/.358/.667, 82 OPS+ – Hayward
.203/.272/.376/.648, 74 OPS+ – Bellinger
Jason may actually be an improvement
And what were the Cubs of all teams thinking giving Cody 1/18
Sorry, that’s 2020-2022
He took the guaranteed playing time the Cubs offered as there were other multi-year offers on the table. Cubs can trade him at the deadline if he rebounds.
Friedman’s counter to all of the big moves being made lol.
Jason Heyward and Shelby Miller. Coal in the stocking.
So glad Kershaw is back, Cy Young caliber pitcher for two-thirds of a season.
Revenge for the Bellinger signing!
In before some humorless d-bag says they’re completely unrelated.
And before some mindless d0uche says it’s revenge for the Cubs signing Bellinger!
Slightly misogynistic for both of you to use feminine hygiene as a pejorative.
Edit mine to say “used condom.”
I gave you an up-vote for the correction.
Hyper-sensitive of you to get triggered over that…..
Not triggered, just prefer to treat women with respect
You’re looking just a little triggered yourself. Everybody’s triggered!
Roy Rogers would be proud.
Now you’re just horsing around . (A little Palomino humor)
That was my mane purpose.
I’m all for respecting women having a sister as my only sibling, only a niece as far as being an uncle and being married to a woman with two twin daughters. But that’s a stretch. If anything, d-bag is a term women mostly use to describe immoral men. So I think women are cool with that adjective.
Thank goodness the Braves didn’t sign him.
I’d take heyward for half the salary of heredia…this isn’t likely to be a big signing but for minimum cost and a decent ceiling it’s a pretty great move. Every team should be considering these kinds of signings
Dodgers have become the new Pirates! UFB!
In your face Giants!
And so it begins. The Dodgers don’t do fire sales, they do fire lose em all to free agency and replace them with minor league invites and depth pieces and still make the postseason sales. Especially since 3rd place teams are allowed in the World Series now.
Boo-hooooooo
“Allowed in the World Series”?
Teams win their way into the World Series
Except in the regular season. Used to count for something. Now, not so much.
Not if they didn’t win the division, no, they didn’t. It even has a different name for a reason, Wild Card, sort of like GED. Distinctions are important. Lose them and you lose everything.
What you are saying is irrelevant. Teams who are wild cards can get into the World Series and most people won’t care 10 years down the road how they got there.
GED is just as much of a degree as a high school diploma. It’s not unheard of for a wild card team to have a better record than a division winner. There’s no distinction that matters in this regard. Also, I can’t think of a difference or distinction that matters in the slightest, in terms of a GED against a diploma other than splitting hairs to disparage a person or team.
Wait, how did this get to be about what most people will care about ten years from now?
Found the triggered SJW. Sit down until your soft spot fully hardens. None of what you said undermines my point. The WC team with the better record was STILL not the first place team in their division. Second best is ALWAYS an important distinction, if for no other reason than to protect the honor and respect and the full reward of being first. Baseball sent 2nd place teams home before TV deals. Employers used to take actual graduates over the second chance test takers before the graduates started coming in just as “behind”, or whatever PC term would be appropriate. Any other emotionally charged shut down tactics you’d like to try?
Nothing emotional about it for me. Just simple common sense but then again I’m not in need of someone or something to look down on. I get it, when Ricky Bobby said “if you’re not first you’re last” it was a good line but not something to take to heart and live by. Yes you’re correct that used to be the way until it was figured out that way doesn’t actually work. Using what you said, why have playoffs at all? Why not just give the team with the best record at the end of the season the trophy?
2023 MVP
Kudos to him for taking a shot and trying to stay in the game. He certainly doesn’t need to money, but maybe he can still contribute.
Freddie and Jason back together!
Dodgers Sign Jason Heyward To Minor League Deal
This is a riot!!!
I will be curious to see if he has anything left
Cubs fans told me he had nothing left.
He hasn’t had anything left for many moons. Dodgers have a way of getting the best out of reclamation projects, but like with Shelby Miller, I just don’t see it happening.
My favorite two teams are the Cubs and the Dodgers. I would have advised the Cubs to pass on Belli and the Dodgers to pass on Jason. Maybe Belli will surprise and the Cubs can flip him. Maybe the Dodgers will only use Jason as a late inning defensive replacement.
Cheap late inning replacement, occasional starter. Guess Joey Gallo was asking for too much $$$.
Cubs seriously paid Bellinger $17.5m to ensure they were done with Heyward LOL
Keep him around in case you need a pep talk during a rain delay.
Which one do you think has the better chance of turning things around? Which one might net a better return at the trade deadline? Which one plays a MUCH better centerfield, which the Cubs need until Pete Crow is ready? I’m not sure your comment merits an “LOL” unless you’re that easily amused.
Um, I wasn’t comparing Bellinger to Heyward. I was pointing out that the Cubs paid a .200 hitter instead of enduring more Heyward. That’s how bad he is.
Don’t get so worked up, the Cubs aren’t any good, it’s not worth the stress.
The Cubs are miles away from another WS championship, but IMHO the NL Central is not too far out of their reach. Look at the 2022 second half (post All-Star game break) records and reach your own conclusion.
https://champsorchumps.us/summary/mlb/2022/after-all-star-break
Cardinals 43-25
Cubs 39-31
Brewers 36-33
Reds 28-43
Pirates 23-46
Goldie had a career year and is aging. Cubs are younger and adding pieces. Cards are favorite, Cubs are in division race.
So in reality they’re paying $39.5 million for just about the same production
That defines “optimism” !!!
Put this poor old dude out to pasture already!
He may not have lived up to the contract, but he was part of the 2016 team and always a class act. I will forever be a J-Hey fan!
Every player should sign with Heywards agent! One of the worst contracts in free agent history
Yes, but everyone would have happily signed that contract at the time. No one can see the future.
That’s a laughable statement. One of the most overrated players in baseball history. I was glad he left the Cardinals. Painful to watch!
Lol were you born yesterday? He was averaging 5 BR WAR per season up until the Cubs signed him. He had a 6.9 WAR and slashed .293/.359/.439 with the Cards the year before the Cubs deal.
Based on his career up to that point, it was a no brainer.
Why do people pretend they wouldn’t have signed that deal at the time? It baffles me.None of you have one tenth the baseball knowledge or insight as Theo Epstein.
It just so happened to be a bust. If he continued his average of 5 WAR/season it would have been money well spent.
NOPE! I was glad he left Cards and knew that contract would be awful for them. One of the most overrated players ever.
No you didn’t.
He was great for the cards…
Just like Pujols.
I honestly can’t believe he’s only 33. Seems to have been around the league forever. Honestly, why not take a flier on him?
Exactly. No risk to the Dodgers. We will only have to pay him league minimum if he makes the big club. It is definately worth a shot.
Didn’t think I would see him take a minor deal. People seem to go to the Dodgers and get better, so I can see this making sense for both sides.
He’ll do more for the LA inner city youth in one year than Scrooge Kershaw has his entire career. Even if he doesn’t make the team, he’ll probably still stick around to make sure every kid is fed and has a backpack full of school supplies before going home.
Damn straight Slider—-he’s taken a chunk of the money he made with the Cubs and invested in programs and building an academy for the less fortunate in Chicago. (I won’t knock Kershaw as I don’t know his philanthropic ways, but am very familiar with J Hey’s endeavors in Chicago…..all while never stepping back from the criticism he received with the Cubs due to the amount of money in his contract)
How about you check out this website before you bash kershaw.
https://www.kershawschallenge.com/
He also supports projects of the LAD Foundation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxTPIL4ySgQ
Insincerity at its finest then he uses the kid for a photo opportunity at the end. Fraud
I’ve tried to respond but didn’t make it past moderation. Google Kershaw and kid press conference and you’ll see insincerity at its finest. Then he uses the kid for a photo opportunity at the end. Total fraud
Why is Kershaw a scrooge? I thought he was a super nice guy by all accounts.
uhh
Clayton Kershaw Gives Away Thousands of Backpacks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ydu1Q2rLEU
Kershaw’s Challenge Back To School Bash Delivers At Los Angeles Dream Center
https://dodgerblue.com/kershaws-challenge-back-to-school-bash-delivers-at-los-angeles-dream-center/2022/08/08/
Heyward is very generous. And thank God for his contributions. But why disparage Kershaw? It’s not his fault these poor kids are disadvantaged. Blame the parents first. Then you look at lawmakers who destroy family, then get rich off of promising the world to poor kids for decades. Don’t fault people like Kershaw
Both Kershaw and Heyward are model citizens who have given a huge amount back.
I’m shocked Braves didn’t give him a minor league deal
Well apparently the Dodgers are not going to sign anyone of great potential. I’m still waiting for that pitching rotation to come in play. So far Clayton is the only starter to resign. I’m so glad the Dodgers didn’t sign Judge. That would have been a huge mistake. A $360 million dollar mistake.
Dodgers are straight prankung fans this year, right?
so the Cubs are paying Bellinger and Heyward this year and, if Heyward starts for LA, its really a toss up as to who has the better year
Well, so are CHC…my money is on J-Hey becoming LAD’s next rescue from the trash heap. At least he doesn’t have one of the biggest holes in his swing like Belli. Throw that guy a heater up and inside…
I hope he makes the team. Wrigley is gonna give him a huge standing O
If the Padres don’t win the division this year something is wrong.
If the Padres don’t win the NL West at the very least, someone’s getting fired.
Dodgers are definitely trying to duck under the CBT tax line this season for sure. Don’t expect them to sign Correa or Swanson. They are going to plug their openings with existing players (Lux, etc) and give their youngsters a chance to prove themselves. This is good news for Philly, SD, NY, etc.
That’s disgusting. Poor Lux.
And bad news for Dodger fans.
It’s amazing how many negative comments occur on a literally zero risk acquisition every time.
Fans and being logical can’t exist in the same sentence.
Friedman is also so good at identifying retreads from the trash bin year after year, and no one likes to give him the benefit of a doubt.
Jason” Mr. 4-3” Heyward.
Akin to getting an aging Bellinger on a minor league deal. Great leadership and veteran clubhouse presence. By all accounts a great asset to any team/community.
So basically a trade between the Cubs and Dodgers with Belli and Heyward but the Cubs are paying ALL of it in a sense. Low risk, avg reward. I dont mind it.
This becomes a very interesting social experiment; who will have the better bounce back Bellinger at Wrigley or Heyward (who will more than likely make the team) in LA?
So the Cubs are paying both Heyward and Cody lol Dodgers laughing
The Dodgers have only gotten worse so far this offseason.
I agree. Though this transaction made me laugh.
Still better than the Cubs.
Much better. No one’s arguing that.
Would not be surprised if sort of revives his career here and had a couple good years with them. The Dodgers analytics team is in a class of their own so maybe they see something here others have overlooked.
So why can’t they get to the World Series
Same reason Yankees can’t get there.
Dodgers have actual athletes that can play baseball and not just mash homeruns. They also have a better front office and management than the Yankees
In a recent interview not covered here Dave Roberts was asked what went wrong this postseason, and he admitted what everyone who watched the games already knew, that the Dodgers lacked the fire of the Padres. The telling part was when Andy Friedman was asked about what he thought needed to be changed, and he said in almost these exact words, “I really don’t know.” So maybe not so great after all.
Dodgers still seem to have the best athletes in the game. They’re fun to watch, they play hard with heart and pride, they do all the small things a baseball team that has the potential to be great every season does. Yankees don’t. Dodgers are a better team and I guess this year the Padres surpassed them but I don’t think it’s because of Robert’s, Friedman or the players. They did everything right it seems. Other teams just came out on top
I’m not sure what it means to have the best athletes when they sleepwalk through the playoffs. It was easy to see where the energy was in those games and it sure wasn’t coming from the Dodgers. This was against a team they absolutely owned during the regular season. Even Dave Roberts acknowledged the Padres played as if they had something to prove and the Dodgers did not.
I know Bellinger has infinitely more potential, but Heyward can perhaps replace his 2022 season.
Plus Heyward spends his down time feeding the hungry. While Bellinger spends his down time feeding his hunger after smoking bowls.
The Cubs would have been better off spending $180 million of $184 on feeding the homeless. Anything over $4 million for a year was an overpay.
Most of us can agree that teachers and nurses do more for society that sports stars and movie actors.
However, with supply and demand, there are fewer people who can hit a 100-mph cutter 500 feet than can do the more important tasks.
That’s why we have higher taxes for those who make the most, to create a safety net for those with the least and protect our society. Imperfect system, but I have yet to see a large country that does it better.
Some people are just so nasty.
Was this a minor league coaching offer?
I thought Heyward retired or at least that’s what I heard every time he came up to the plate, “Heyward, retired on a strikeout once again.”
But Heyward has never been a big strikeout guy
I respect Heyward – hope this works out. Good luck, JH.
Super good dude and I wish him nothing but the best with the Dodgers. Though he didn’t live up to the obscene amount of money we paid him he was a positive force in the clubhouse, did a ton of charity work for kids and I think this change of scenery might do him some good. The glove work is still there and if you can get him to hit .250-260 this is a no brainer signing, plus Ricketts and company are footing the bill. I’ll still root for him!
The year is 2023,
The National League MVP race is heating up
The two frontrunners are Cody Bellinger of the Chicago Cubs and Jason Heyward of the LA Dodgers.
I’ll go with Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Austin Riley myself.
Good for Jay Hey, that’s a nice spot for him. I hope he does well.
Nice to hear a positive comment!!!
Heyward and Freeman back together again
still ‘JUST’ 33. hummmm I wish the Braves brought him back. but now he is back with Freddie, so sort of
Guess if anyone can get something from the stiff it would be LA.
Albuquerque Isotope legend, baby!!
Except Albuquerque is now Colorado’s top farm club. Oklahoma City is the Dodgers’ Triple-A team.
Absolutely no competition for this guy…. so yes, the Dodgers got their guy! No way to resuscitate his batting as has not been able to do much for way too many years. Costs them nothing to see…. Not going to make major league 40 man anyway.
Bellinger vs Heyward, about the same production for far less $.
This is one of those examples of something making such little sense that it actually makes sense
You just know Chaim was going after Heyward. Friedman is being savvy by preventing Chaim from getting him. Some 5D chess going on here.
Love this signing. Smart business. No risk.
He’s changing employers and I hope it works out for him.
No risk for either party.
Again, good business.
Funny how Michael Busch is not part of the second base solution for the Dodgers by most. One would think 31 home runs and an OPS over .900 at AAA is worth some mention.
We’ll probably see Busch at some point in 2023 but his defense is a work in progress so not somebody to pencil into a position yet.
Well if Lux is the shortstop defense will be an issue with his arm. I figure Busch’s offensive profile is a lesser risk even with his spotty defense than Taylor’s streaky offense.
We’re bound to see a whole of of prospect tryouts since it seems the Dodgers have folded their hand on next season.
Report says he cannot play 2B, that’s before the shift ban
If the Dodgers sign/trade for a shortstop, Busch or Lux (more likely the former) are probably trade bait, as they have fairly redundant skillsets (left-handed hitting, average/mediocre defending 2B).
If Lux is indeed starting at SS, we’ll likely see some of Busch at 2B this season — but Muncy and Taylor can also play there (with Vargas covering 3B).
Belli’s replacement?
The Bellinger for Heyward trade leaves me scratching my head and the cubs paying both salaries.
Is it really hard to see $0 vs $17.5 Million as not the same? This is zero risk. $17.5 million for a guy hitting .200 has a bit more implied risk, albeit contained to just one year.
WTF Dodgers! Jason Heyward gets a chance to battle Trayce Thompson for the last OF spot this spring.
How the mighty have fallen.
They will still win the division.
Dodgers get their man. Betts to second.
C Smith
1B Freeman
2B Lux
3B Muncy
RF Betts
LF Vargas
SS Taylor
CF ?
DH ?
Rotation
Urias
Kershaw
Gonsolin
May
SP5 ?
Bullpen
Phillips
Graterol
Vesia
S. Miller
Ferguson
Bruihl
Bickford
As it stands, right now, you’re probably looking at:
C Smith
1B Freeman
2B Busch
SS Lux
3B Muncy/Vargas
RF Betts
LF Taylor
CF Outman/Thompson
DH Muncy/Vargas
I’m pretty convinced the Dodgers do something to solidify SS, even if it is simply signing/trading for a glove-first guy, and move Lux back to 2B though.
Trayce Thompson made the most of his 2022 audition, Heyward good addition, Dodgers should skip the SS market and play the prospects.
Gavin Sax has no business with a glove on his hand on the right side of the infield.
We tanking this year smh
So much raw talent. Can’t help but wonder “what if” someone fixed his swing when he was younger what kind of offensive player he would have become. As much raw power as anyone. Great eye. Just seemed like he was always trying to make too many adjustments at the plate.
Oh well I wish him well. Great guy
Jason Heyward is getting David Price’s old locker.
I checked my calendar and it is not April 1.
Dodgers must think they will find something in him. Maybe they will.
Ew, sounds like they’re planning an autopsy.
Ultrasound only.
That’s a relief!
It is easy to get caught up in the “players only care about money” vibe this time of year but here’s another guy who would collect all his money sitting at home but is going to a club on a minors deal to try to keep playing.
Dodgers have had success with so-called “reclamation” projects. I like the idea. Especially with a Veteran of his status working with the “kids”.
Jettison Belli and add Heyward on a minors deal? WIN!
i think this is a good risk move by both team and player
His swing is the perfect amalgam of Cody Bellinger’s and Joe Gallo’s.
Yeah, this looks like an indirect trade between the Cubs and Dodgers. We’ll release our guy, and you’ll release your guy, and we’ll do a swap signing.
except the Cubs pay for both of them, LOL
Good one you did a funny
After reading the article I can’t stop laughing at how maybe they could fix him with coaching analista al data etc.
You couldn’t fix Belli & Gallo. Don’t insult me. This is a long shot.
BTW-Good luck to Jason Heyward on the Dodgers.
Dodgers resetting the luxury tax for run at Ohtani next year. And they’ll still make the playoffs this year.
Cubs are now paying $40 million next year for Bellinger and Hayward.
Oh yeah, he’s the answer.
I bet you he breaks camp on the final roster…..
Finally he’ll be playing in the correct league.
Don’t know if they looked into it, or if Heyward would have been interested, but this type of signing had MKE written all over it.
Played for division rival. Check.
Past his prime. Check.
Dirt cheap. Check.
Left handed bat. Check.
Bats close enough to the Mendoza line to make everyone else batting .225-.235 feel good about themselves. Check.
If nothing else, can say ‘he’s not as bad as JBJ was.’ Check.
So now they’ll wait til March and trade a prospect and cash for him.
I would rather have the Dodgers sign Justin Hayward.
I always liked the Moody Blues. Good pick-up.
Jason Heyward will go down in Baseball history as the largest (6’5″ 240 lbs) singles hitter ever, and not even a good one at that.
Almost vomited in my mouth reading that the Dodgers have signed the least productive player in MLB for the last 7 years… and possibly over the last 50 years including players like Chris Davis.
Here’s my take. The Dodgers are afraid they may be on the hook for paying out Trevor Bauer’s contract. All this Ohtani talk is pure BS. Bauer might wind up costing the Dodgers treble damages along with MLB. I’m no fan of Bauer but there’s something going on besides the plumbing caving in Dodger Stadium.
Nothing accurate in this take.
Neato!
As a long time Chicago sports fan. Jason Heyward was a true class act and gentleman from everything I have heard. Did a lot of local charity work. Hard worker, solid teammate and was great with the tough Chicago media. Who by the way can be ruthless if/when you don’t live up to expectations. He handled himself well. Unfortunately for the Cubs he just was not worth 180 million dollars. Not even close.
The year was 2009 Heyward and Freeman were walking out of a Minor A ball clubhouse to their bus. My kids asked Heyward if he could please sign some autographs. He was the nicest guy. Then a big red head freckle faced Freeman walked out. They asked him nicely to sign. He said NO! Then Heyward says “just sign a few autographs for them.” Freeman pouts and walks over and signed for them. I’ll never forget it. Thanks Jason. You made their day!
The Doyers are saving their money for Ohtani. That’s the last thing I want. Ohtani playing for them.
Wouldn’t the dodgers have to pay the league minimum, almost a 1/2 million if he makes the roster? That costs something.
A prorated portion of the MLB minimum salary (which is $700k) for the time he spends on the roster, assuming he makes the team.
It’s not a baseball move. It makes as much sense BASEBALL wise as signing Brittany Griner.
Dodgers big signing of the offseason. When did they start operating like the Guardians?
Never a burner? Dude had 3 20+ stolen bases in the majors. Im sure he burned. Turned into the dodgers Andruw Jones tho.
Would be hilario if JHey ended up > than Bellinger.
Dodgers are clearly re-setting their luxury tax and the MLB’s slow decision on Bauer is handcuffing them. Pun intended. Imo the Dodgers won’t increase their overall salary by more than about $9 million until they receive confirmation that Bauer’s suspension is upheld. If it is, the Dodgers will add about $45 million more in contracts. I’m surprised the so called analysts aren’t harping on this.
MLB already made a decision. It’s now in the hands of an independent arbitration panel. The team’s decision to reduce payroll drastically this season has little or nothing to do with the Bauer situation.
Incorrect. If the arbitration panel reinstates Bauer $35 mil counts towards their cap. If not they can use salary and remain under the cap.
Everything I stated is accurate. The Dodgers are cutting their payroll drastically this year potentially by as much as $100m. That’s the literal bottom line. It should also be the headline, but somehow, isn’t. Further, the arbitration panel is not going to reinstate Bauer. If you look into the Basic Agreement and read up on how these grievance panels are constructed you will see why this is so very unlikely.
I understand it is very unlikely but I’m thinking once he’s officially not reinstated you’ll see the Dodgers adding salary. They might wait until the deadline, but once they’re certain using his money won’t put them over the cap imho I believe they’ll improve their team.
Regardless of the reasons the dodgers seem to be rebooting, as a 50 + year fan I’m glad it’s happening. They have several high level prospects that are seemingly ready for the show or at least ripe for an opportunity. Out with the old and in with the new so to speak. I look forward to watching Vargas, Outman, Busch, Pepiot, Grove, Stone etc. I sure wish they had kept Rios as well.
Everybody of any interest will be off the boards by then. I’m sure the Dodgers know this full well and would be prepared to take the small risk of paying the CBT if they were interested in any of them. Supposedly they made an offer to Verlander, who would have put them over the CBT no matter what else happened. The other big names are all getting 9-11 year contracts. It’s clear the Dodgers aren’t going there for anyone. I’m not opposed to a youth movement but it’s something you want to see built around more of a veteran core.
FWIW I believe Rios remains unsigned. They could probably bring him back on a minor league contract at this point. Somebody probably will.
The free agents may mostly be signed but there will be numerous highly paid players the dodgers may trade for during the season once the Bauer decision is made and the Dodgers have certainty about their cap number. If Bauer is reinstated they’d once again be stuck above the cap and subject to paying a 50 %, 62%, 90% or 110% tax for being a repeat offender. In my opinion their payroll will be very near $233 million before the season is over if they don’t have to pay Bauer’s contract and around $205 million if they do not. They currently sit at about $189 million. Expect them to spend about $16 million towards their cap during this free agent season and an additional $28 million before the end of the year after Bauer’s suspension is upheld.
I understand your point but I can’t agree that spending this year is so dependent on the resolution of the Bauer situation. It’s self evident that it isn’t if the story is true that they made an offer to Verlander. I believe that they just didn’t find anyone on the market to whom they were comfortable committing $300m.
The story about Verlander very well may not be true. I purposely avoided adding this until now because nobody wants to hear the “I know a guy” thing. Truth is One of my good friends is a major league agent and he indicated it’s pretty well known amongst the agents that the Dodgers are doing exactly what I’m saying they’re doing. The Dodgers themselves have remained mum about it and have shown some interest in certain players, in part, to drive salaries up for competitors. He also told me that Judge had no interest in signing with the Giants and used them merely as leverage against the battery chuckers.
Sorry. Leverage against the Yankees.
But the Dodgers haven’t been so mum about it. Friedman has given two interviews over the past week that explain the reasoning quite differently. Granted there’s always a lot of gamesmanship involved, but at the same time anyone who claims to know exactly what the game is probably really doesn’t.
Battery chuckers. I kind of liked that.
My opinion is after the loss of Seager & Bellinger and some of the Veterans stars, The Dodgers want to reset the payroll and roll out the new kids in the block while they see what happens with Baeur.. They way they are looking at it is the will be competitive but won’t make a move until July and roll with what they currently have unless the trade makes sense to them.
So you will see Vargas Outman Miller Busch Amaya Pepiot Jackson Stone if 2 out of 3 step up that is a major plus for LA. because now they can get Otani with out trying to fill to many slots with veterans that want all these extra years and cash. LA doesn’t work that way unless you are what they want… Anyways if 111 win team didn’t WINYOU THE CHAMPIONSHIP then maybe a young team with veterans will. Take it how you want but I read an article that the Dodgers playoff run this year, that the players were stale and really didn’t get to excited . So maybe its time to clean house and keep the good foundation in.
It’s got nothing to do with Bauer and everything to do with reducing payroll. In another interview yesterday that also probably won’t be covered here, Andrew Friedman was asked about the plan going forward. It’s all about what he calls “sustainability” or keeping the competitive window open forever. But it also means never really going all in and passing on any player they believe is too expensive. So dream on about Ohtani because he’s probably going to be the most expensive player in MLB history so it’s really difficult to see how he fits into the Friedman plan.
This is the offseason of my dreams to date-
Sign either Elvis or jose Iglesias along with an OF and i’ll be cool
They’ll be active next trade deadline when they have a sense of payroll maneuvering
Why are the Dodgers giving any consideration to Fios? He was once thought to be the player to replace Turner at 3nd.