Chicago Cubs: It’s time to move on from Heyward and Schwarber

Back when Jason Heyward was signed to an eight year contract back before the 2016 season, it was seen as a dynamite signing by many, but it has been anything but that.

Before you read any further, just know this is meant to poke fun at those who are ready to jettison any Chicago Cubs player who struggles. This one’s for you.

Jason Heyward has been a disaster. Sure, he has the two Gold Gloves in as many years, but he brings nothing to the table offensively. Grounder to second, grounder to second, pop out, strikeout. Rinse. Repeat.

Why have the Cubs not done anything about this guy? After all, JD Martinez, who is tearing through the American League, was a free agent and the Cubs let him go to Boston. Yet another brilliant move by Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer. Since the 2016 season, they have fell flat on their face in terms of improving this club.

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The sad part is that Heyward is still signed through 2023 on a lucrative contract. That could hurt the Cubs if they want to try and extend this core of players, but why would Epstein and Hoyer do that? Their smart decisions went out the window a LONG time ago.

Kyle Schwarber

Jason Heyward is not even the only mistake. How about Kyle Schwarber? In the 2014 draft, the Cubs selected Schwarber fourth overall, and talk about a reach! They rushed him to the big leagues the next year, and while he was good in 2015, ever since it’s been struggles. 2016 he got hurt the third game of the year only to come back in the World Series and get some fluky hits here and there.

Back in 2017, Joe Maddon, yet another brilliant move by this front office, tried to hit Schwarber in the leadoff spot. Remember? The Cubs sent him to Triple-A Iowa. Sure, he popped 30 home runs last year, but who didn’t? Major League Baseball set a new record in home runs hit last season, so that isn’t really all that impressive.

Long story short, Heyward hasn’t hit a ball on the nose in about two years, and Schwarber rarely even makes contact. If this Cubs team wants to go anywhere with this core, Heyward and Schwarber will have to go somewhere else.

Relax, guys – this has all been in jest

But in all honesty, what a remarkable turnaround for these two.

Cubs fans should be elated at the success that Heyward and Schwarber have had this season. Heyward is back to being who he was pre-Cubs, using all fields, capitalizing on mistakes, not striking out, to go with the customary sparkling defense. Schwarbs has been everything that this front office (who actually are geniuses and maybe the best group in baseball.) He takes his walks, stays in the zone, and has has been playing outstanding defense in his own right.

Next: Hendricks could be a huge difference maker for Chicago

These two don’t compliment the Chicago core – they’re  part of the core themselves.