The Los Angeles Dodgers, facing a roster crunch, designated veteran outfielder Jason Heyward for assignment on Thursday. Heyward, a well-respected clubhouse presence who has struggled with infrequent playing time, became the odd man out with Chris Taylor activated off the injured list. With the move, the Dodgers essentially chose to keep center fielder Kevin Kiermaier as their only left-handed hitter off the bench. Taylor and fellow superutility man Enrique Hernandez were also perceivably on the bubble.
Rival teams now have seven days to claim Heyward off waivers, otherwise he will be released and become a free agent. Heyward, who would be owed the prorated portion of his $9 million salary, can be postseason eligible so long as he joins another team before the end of August.
Heyward slashed only .208/.289/.393 in 197 plate appearances during his second season with the Dodgers. But his last at-bat was a memorable one -- a pinch-hit, eighth-inning three-run homer that won Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts later called it "the highlight, for me, of the season thus far."
Now 35, Heyward was a highly regarded prospect who was drafted 14th overall out of high school and became a sensation with the Atlanta Braves in his early 20s. Heyward won five Gold Gloves, made an All-Star team, accumulated 115 home runs, stole 101 bases and signed a $184 million contract while with the Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs from 2010 to 2017.
His most famous moment came near the end of that stretch, when his speech during a rain delay in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series helped propel the Cubs to victory, ending a 108-year championship drought.
But injuries and inconsistencies continued to plague Heyward over the next half decade, prompting the Cubs to release him late in the 2022 season with another full year remaining on his contract. The Dodgers subsequently signed Heyward to a minor league deal at the behest of good friend Freddie Freeman and watched him provide an .813 OPS with 15 home runs in 124 games in 2023. They then brought him back on a major league deal, but his production wasn't the same.
Now, he'll likely join another playoff contender.
Heyward's Time in Los Angeles
Jason Heyward's future on the Los Angeles Dodgers' roster became uncertain once Mookie Betts returned to the lineup and moved to right field. That became official Thursday, with the Dodgers designating the veteran outfielder for assignment to open a spot for utility man Chris Taylor, who was activated from the injured list. The move was first reported by FanSided's Robert Murray.
Heyward, 35, started 49 of his 61 games this season in right field and played strong defense at the position. However, he batted only .208, with a .682 OPS, 10 doubles, six home runs and 28 RBI this season. That made it difficult to argue that the Dodgers weren't better with Betts in right field (where he has played the majority of his career), Miguel Rojas at shortstop and Gavin Lux at second base.
Heyward, a 15-year veteran, made a strong closing argument to be a left-handed bat off the bench with a pinch-hit, three-run homer Tuesday that was the difference in a 6–3 win over the Seattle Mariners. But now that looks like a memorable final moment in Dodger Blue for Heyward, who played two seasons with the team.
The Dodgers' Roster Crunch
Heyward could seemingly have value in a role as a pinch-hitter. But his position flexibility is limited mostly to right field, and the Dodgers have other players who can play in center. The ability to play multiple positions appears to be a priority with Taylor, Enrique Hernandez and Tommy Edman on the roster and circulating through the lineup.
Heyward will presumably clear waivers because any team claiming him would owe the remainder of his $9 million salary this season, versus a prorated sum of the $740,000 major-league minimum. From there, the veteran could refuse assignment to the minor leagues and become a free agent.
It's possible that Heyward could go to the minors and be a September call-up when rosters can expand to 28 players. But a player of his tenure and stature might not want to go that route.
A Long and Storied Career
If Heyward's career as a major leaguer is indeed over, he finishes with a .257 average, .748 OPS, 302 doubles, 180 home runs and 709 RBI in 15 seasons. He won a World Series championship with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 as a valuable, beloved leader who became legendary with his motivating speech to the team during a rain delay in Game 7.
Heyward's time in Los Angeles might not have gone as planned, but it's clear he left a lasting impact on the team and its fans. His leadership and dedication to the game will surely be missed. It's a new chapter for Heyward, but the end of the story is far from being written. Fans will be eager to see what he does next.
