Yankees fans have their attention fixed on Juan Soto, and Cody Bellinger to rescue the team’s offense. However, Anthony Volpe wants the Yankees to sign Jason Heyward, a less-heralded free agent to reinforce their roster this offseason.
While talking to fans and reporters at the MLB Flagship Store in Manhattan during Rawlings’ 2023 Gold Glove celebration on Thursday, Anthony Volpe made this surprising suggestion. The newly awarded Gold Glover shared that, during an encounter with Jason Heyward a few weeks ago, he told the player that he would look good without a beard.
While Jason Heyward might appear to be an unconventional choice, the experienced outfielder could potentially be a suitable addition for the New York Yankees. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman revealed on Tuesday that the team is in need of two outfielders, preferably those who bat left-handed.
Despite no longer being an everyday outfielder, Jason Heyward demonstrated last season that he still possesses valuable skills.
Who is Jason Heyward?
The 34-year-old veteran managed to achieve a 1.9 WAR, according to baseball-reference, during his time with the Dodgers. He posted a slash line of .269/.340/.473/.813 with a 117 OPS+ across 124 games. These figures marked his highest OPS and OPS+ since 2020.
Originally chosen in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft by the Braves from Henry County High School in Georgia, Heyward initiated his minor league career at the tender age of 17. He quickly rose through the ranks to become one of baseball’s top-rated prospects for his batting prowess, speed, and defensive skills. He made his MLB debut as the Atlanta Braves’ starting right fielder on Opening Day in 2010.
In the 2021-22 seasons with the Cubs, Jason Heyward struggled, posting a mere .211 batting average with a .606 OPS.
Jason Heyward, a seasoned outfielder, began his journey with the Dodgers on a minor-league contract but steadily rose to the status of an almost everyday player. His veteran leadership and consistent hitting were invaluable for the Dodgers during challenging moments this season. Across the year, Heyward maintained a .269 batting average, along with 15 home runs and 40 runs batted in. He proved to be one of the team’s most reliable players, positioning himself for a significant contract in the upcoming winter.
Furthermore, Jason Heyward’s versatility allows him to play all three outfield positions, and he even spent some time at first base, playing six games at that position. Teams interested in the veteran outfielder are faced with a pivotal question, whether his recent season signifies a resurgence in his late career, or was it simply another instance of the Dodgers extracting performance from a player in decline.
Is he fit for the Yankees?
If the New York Yankees are convinced that Jason Heyward’s performance in the last season proves he still has more to offer as a hitter, then he could potentially serve as an improvement over Jake Bauers and the other players the Yankees experimented with as fourth outfielders.
A potential drawback for Jason Heyward is his extensive experience primarily in right field throughout his career, whereas Cashman emphasized the Yankees‘ requirement for coverage in both center field and left field.
Jason Heyward has participated in 1,527 games in the right field, in contrast to his relatively limited experience of 227 games in the center field and only seven games in the left field. Nevertheless, given Aaron Judge’s history of injuries, having an outfielder who can comfortably take over in the right field holds notable significance.
From 2010 to 2014, Jason Heyward was part of the Braves organization before a brief stint with the St. Louis Cardinals and an extended tenure with the Chicago Cubs from 2016 to 2022. Despite being a member of the World Series-winning team, he fell short of fulfilling his large contract in Chicago. After spending an extended period in free agency, Jason Heyward seized an opportunity with the Los Angeles Dodgers in a rotational role this past season. His response was impressive, achieving a .269 batting average, his highest since 2018, along with 15 home runs and 56 runs scored.
According to statements from two rival executives this week, they speculated that Jason Heyward could secure a contract in a similar range or even higher than Peralta’s deal last year (one year, $6.5 million with up to $8 million in incentives). One of the executives suggested a possible multiyear deal, estimating it at two years and $18 million, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
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