After Cubs release, Heyward signs with Dodgers originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
J-Hey is headed to LA.
Jason Heyward, the longtime Cubs outfielder who was released last month, has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Dodgers that includes an invitation to spring training.
Team president Jed Hoyer announced in August the Cubs would release Heyward — the respected veteran, 2016 champ and five-time Gold Glove winner who underperformed offensively with the Cubs — after the 2022 season. The move became official last month.
The Cubs are on the hook for his salary in 2023 ($22 million) — the final season of the eight-year, $184 million deal Heyward signed entering 2016.
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Heyward joining the Dodgers comes days after the Cubs agreed to a one-year, $17.5 million deal with former Los Angeles outfielder Cody Bellinger.
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Heyward, 33, met Chicago media in September to look back on his time with the Cubs and said he planned to play in 2023. The five-time Gold Glover noted he had to be open about potential opportunities this winter.
“We’ll see what happens, we’ll see what options are presented,” Heyward said. “Because it’s a different playing field now as far as who’s interested.
“I also have to be realistic about their roles that they think I should be in. Is that minor-league invite? Is that the possibility of saying, ‘We want you on this team. We’re here to win and compete, and we understand what you bring in a winning environment.”
And as it turned out, Heyward landed in one of baseball’s premier winning environments.
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