Chicago Cubs: Long contracts need patience from fans–like it or not

Chicago Cubs have to be patient with deals like these

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In the case of Heyward, it’s been slower going for him, but he’s shown improvement at the plate each year with the Cubs. Strangely, his defense has taken a step back, although that still leaves him as an elite defender.

But he’s failed to win the Gold Glove the last two seasons. But the average has improved, even with all his swing changes. If you can say anything about Heyward, he cares. He’s never sat back and just taken the money without the effort.

This season has seen Heyward spraying the ball all over the field. His power numbers are way up, as he hit his fifth home run already, several months before he reached it in 2018. It’s a hot start, but I’ve been expecting a regression to the norm. But it’s not coming. He’s come through in clutch spots, when before he would weakly ground out to the second baseman. It’s taken until his fourth season for fans to feel like they’ve gotten the player the Cubs are paying for.

When a player signs a deal like these, the fans and the team have to have patience. A bad first year doesn’t mean it’s a bust. If Heyward stays for the remainder of his contract and hits like he has and plays excellent defense, it wouldn’t be considered a bust. Lester has already proven he wasn’t one. Darvish? To be determined. I believe his health was the biggest downfall of his 2018 season. Now that he’s healthy he has to put it together and prove himself with results. I indeed did say he’s improving. But at some point, that won’t matter anymore.