The Padres announced this afternoon that they’ve designated outfielder Jason Heyward for assignment. The move makes room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Bryan Hoeing, who has been activated from the 60-day injured list. Righty Sean Reynolds was optioned to make room for Hoeing on the active roster.
Heyward, 35, is a veteran of 16 MLB seasons who has enjoyed a decorated career since being selected 14th overall by the Braves in the 2007 draft. A well-regarded talent in the draft who rose to become the sport’s consensus #1 prospect prior to his big league debut in 2010, he turned in a brilliant inaugural campaign that year and finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting behind Buster Posey. He went on to hit .268/.353/.431 with Atlanta and St. Louis across his first six years in the majors before he reached free agency.
The outfielder’s elite defense in right field, solid hitting (118 wRC+), and the fact that he was entering free agency ahead of his age-26 campaign all made him one of the top free agents on the market. He eventually signed with the Cubs on an eight-year deal that went down as a bit of an albatross. While Heyward won a pair of Gold Gloves and a World Series championship during his time in Chicago, he hit just .245/.323/.377 (88 wRC+) across seven seasons with the Cubs and was ultimately designated for assignment prior to the final year of his contract.
For many players, getting DFA’d at the end of a large contract represents the end of the line. That wasn’t the case for Heyward, however, as he managed to bounce back with the Dodgers in 2023 and slash .269/.340/.473 (120 wRC+) across 124 games as their regular right fielder. He re-signed in Los Angeles for the 2024 season and turned in a roughly league average performance but was squeezed off the roster in the second half by trade deadline acquisitions. That led to a brief stint with the Astros where he hit .218/.283/.473 (104 wRC+) before returning to free agency and signing with the Padres.
Heyward’s production has fallen off some in his age-35 season, however. The outfielder has been limited to just 34 games by injury but even when healthy enough to play has hit a paltry .176/.223/.271 in 95 plate appearances. That’s difficult production to swallow from left field, especially for a player whose once-elite defense has grown shaky with age. With Gavin Sheets having settled into left field fairly nicely this season (122 wRC+) and the approach of trade season offering a new opportunity to add reinforcements, the Padres clearly felt that they had better uses for Heyward’s 40-man roster spot. The veteran was on the injured list due to knee inflammation at the time of his DFA, but the Padres will nonetheless have one week to either trade Heyward or attempt to pass him through waivers. If he clears waivers, he’ll have the choice of either accepting an outright assignment to the minors or electing free agency.
Heyward’s departure from the roster makes room for the return of Hoeing. The right-hander has spent most of his career with the Marlins but was traded to San Diego as part of the Tanner Scott trade last summer. 2024 was a banner year for the righty, as he posted a 2.18 ERA and 3.32 FIP across 53 2/3 relief innings, including a microscopic 1.52 ERA across 23 2/3 frames as a Padre. He was a surefire bet to be part of San Diego’s late-inning mix this year before right shoulder issues left the start of his season delayed. Now that he’s back in the mix, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start getting high leverage opportunities with the Friars moving forward.
FINALLY! Now let’s trade for a LF!
Is profar available?
He is suspended till 7-02-2025 and signed long term with Atlanta
Shouldn’t take much to trade for him especially if the padres are willing to pay some of the contract
It had to happen…
His offensive numbers before and after he was hit in the face tell a sad story. With his defense and a to that point above average bat the sky was the limit. Worked out enough for him, he got paid, but dang what could have been…
I don’t think it was because he got hit in the face. He always had a very iff-y swing. Even as a rookie when he was having a great season Chipper Jones had said many times he was going to have to eventually make some pretty big mechanical adjustments. He really just peaked early with the bat and kept playing good defense for many years.
Well, the Padres could trade for Tyler O’Neill….. not bloody likely
However, maybe this is a move to get Andrew Benintendi, I would love him for the O’s, but the O’s don’t really need a LF’er
The White Sox would most likely need to eat a large portion of what Benintendi is still owed in order to move him. He’s having a bit of a resurgence this season, but not enough of one for teams to be willing to take on the entirety of what he’s owed.
They need an adequate CF’er that can man the position until Tatis is 100%. Heyward would be a great mentor to soon to be called up Justin Crawford. Cal Stevenson for Heyward if I’m the Phillies. And if DD hooks up with a club desperate enough for offense and can unload Nick Castellanos for a bullpen arm, Heyward may even get some occasional PT in RF. Just don’t try to put him in for defense while Nick is there.
Umm..Merrill is the CF, and will be back either tonight or tomorrow.
And Tatis is 100%
I wouldn’t say he’s 100%, as he said he’s sore after last night’s game..but he’s in the lineup.
bumps and bruises for everyone. I guess no one is 100%.Point being, Pads don’t need a replacement for him to man his position until he’s 100%. He’s playing.
Say Hey kid give good meeting
Loooooooong overdue
I’m sure Profar is available
When is his 80 day banishment over?
9 more games or July 2nd without any rainouts or suspended games for Profar to return, pending any new violations!
But no playoff eligibility
Excellent career. Watching him chase balls in left this year was tough.. Body won’t do what the mind intends.
Hope he retires and gets into coaching.
He always seemed like a solid dude and he’s made a killing but… He seemed destined for so much more. I wanted him in the Bronx, thank goodness he didn’t sign with the Yankees. Solid D and a nice arm only carry you so far at an offensive orientated position.
Yankees would have a good fit. Those warning track fly balls are in the seats at Yankee Stadium.
I think the LF move for SD is either Jesus Sanchez or Brian Reynolds. Gonnacost. Gonna cost though.
Trenton Brooks. Not gonna cost.
This looks like the end of the line for him. Some people consider him a disappointment due to the astronomical expectations when he was a prospect, but he ended up carving out a pretty solid career. He wasn’t worth the contract the Cubs gave him, but he had a few solid seasons for them and played a big role as a team leader during their championship run.
Just fell to my knees in a walmart
So many bad replies come to mind, but I’m gonna take a pass.
Could Jasdon Heyward help the Mariners?
No, worst hitting park in all of MLB.
Unless your nickname is “Big Dumper”, that is.
Fascinating career. I wonder how many other players have something comparable.–going from star to marginal but still getting chances?
Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel all came up with the Braves at about the same time, with Heyward 2nd in Rookie of year in 2010 and Kimbrel and Freeman finishing 1st and 2nd in 2011. Tremendous Trio to come up together!
Most people thought Heyward would have a better career than Freeman, too.
Retirement here I come
he will resign with LAD and they move conforto — just kidding…time for Heyward to hang it up he is done.
A.F.T. I guess not even being able to hit in AAA was the final straw.