Heyward will be like a new free agent signing for Chicago Cubs in 2017

After a career worst season in 2016, the only direction to go in 2017 is up for Jason Heyward. With his offense expected to improve, the Cubs’ lineup will essentially be adding a player they didn’t have in 2016.

When looking at the 2016 Chicago Cubs, finding more than a few flaws is no easy task. After all, a team that wins a championship generally doesn’t have too many issues. On the other hand, though, last season’s team was not perfect by any means.

Looking at the team as a whole, one player sticks out for failing to meet expectations placed on him entering last season. Jason Heyward signed an eight-year, $184 million deal last winter. The Cubs expected him to provide elite defense and baserunning, also holding down a spot at the top of their lineup.

Throughout the 2016 season, Heyward held up his end of the bargain for two of the three things mentioned above. Even with this being true, Heyward’s offensive struggles more than stuck out all year long.

To put things into perspective, all but one of Heyward’s major offensive statistics decreased from 2015-2016. The only thing that Heyward increased was his strikeout total. In 2016, he struck out 93 times; in 2015, he struck out 90 times. Obviously, no player wants to increase their strikeout total from season-season.

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For his career, Jason Heyward generally has been an above average offensive player. In his six seasons prior to joining the Cubs, he had 140+ hits four times; he hit above .250 five times; he had a WAR 5.0 or better four times. Simply put, Heyward has been a guy his team can count on throughout his career.

This offseason, Heyward took it upon himself to commit to fixing his offensive woes of 2016. After the season ended, he moved to Arizona for the offseason to work on his swing with Cubs’ assistant hitting coach Eric Hinske.

Although anything can happen, it seems safe to expect Heyward to improve at the plate in 2017. One should not expect him to turn into a .300 hitter over the course of one offseason. However, a batting average of .260+ is a fair prediction, as Heyward’s career average is .262.

Adding a “new” player

If Heyward does bounce back in 2017, the Cubs lineup would essentially be adding a player they didn’t have in 2016. Of course, Heyward was on the roster physically last season, but the production everyone expected from him was not there.

The Cubs have become a team that has had an impact player at every spot in their batting lineup. Generally, the Cubs only two “weak spots” in last season’s lineup: the pitcher’s spot (minus Jake Arrieta) and Heyward’s spot.

If Heyward can hit like he is capable of, the Cubs’ lineup will have yet another dynamic bat. Even though the team lost Dexter Fowler to free agency, the offense should still click due to all the roster’s talent.

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Next season, the Cubs in a sense will add a player they did not have last season if Heyward does improve as expected. While the roster is deep enough to withstand one player struggling at the plate, Heyward improving will make a scary lineup even scarier.