Chicago Cubs: Decision on Heyward in field needs answer

Few are the issues that plague the Chicago Cubs. With a roster abundant in talent, the one issue that needs attention is where Jason Heyward plays.

It is not fair, really. The plethora of talent on the Chicago Cubs is sickeningly exciting. The young players have turned into stars, and the veterans just keep rolling along. The wealth of riches the team enjoys places a target squarely on their backs. So far, so good.

Having talent is not all unicorns and glitter. Decisions on whom to play where or establishing the best batting order range from simple to headache-inducing conundrums. The toughest of these choices is where to play Jason Heyward.

Oh, where, oh where…

……should Heyward play? For his career, he’s played right field for 927 games. Only 57 in center. But it is not his experience or lack thereof, that is the main concern. He is talented enough to be a Gold Glove winner in either position. What it effects is the rest of the Chicago Cubs defense. And in a major way.

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Let us just verify a few things first. Heyward is a fantastic defender. If it were not for his work in the field, his yearly WAR numbers would be negative. He executes more double plays from the outfield than errors committed. His range factor is among the top 15 in the league, and he saves double-digit runs every season.

The team

What is best for the team is what matters the most. If Heyward is playing center field, Ben Zobrist is placed in right with Baez at second base. Not bad, but it may not be ideal either. Zobrist is a great player. His ability to perform in clutch situations is without question. The fact that he is a switch hitter will keep him in the line-up. He is proven. Reliable. However, his range in the outfield is not that of Heyward or other options. Even the analysts on ESPN questioned if Heyward would have caught a ball in right that Zobrist didn’t.

The other true option is to put Heyward in right field, leaving center field open. With both Albert Almora and Jon Jay on the team, there is no slack in offense or defense. Ask Matt Adams about Almora’s abilities after the game-saving home-run robbing catch Tuesday night. While Jay is not the run saving machine like Heyward, his defensive range allows for great field coverage.

The Verdict

What is the most crucial part in all of this? Kyle Schwarber. From a defensive standpoint, Schwarber is the greatest liability in the outfield. It is a new position for him, and he is doing well so far. Yet, his lack of track-down speed requires more coverage from other players. For that reason, the best arrangement of outfielders is Heyward in right and Almora in center.

Both Almora and Heyward possess great speed. By allowing them to play the suggested positions, they can cheat toward left field a bit more, especially on right-handed batters. This will limit the amount of group Schwarber would need to cover. Also, it assists in covering the gaps in the outfield. The only drawback is that the right field line would be a bit more open than normal. However, that is the case anytime Heyward or Almora are not playing there.

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The talent of the Chicago Cubs is uncanny, but deciding where Heyward plays effects the entire flow of the team defensively. Establishing this role will go a long way to providing stability behind the pitching staff.