When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed outfielder Jason Heyward before the 2023 season, he hadn’t eclipsed the .700 OPS threshold since 2020.
Unproductive and injury-prone, his career appeared to be nearing an end when the Chicago Cubs granted him his unconditional release in late 2022.
The Dodgers gave him a chance on a cheap minor league contract, and he delivered big time.
Now, once again a free agent, the Dodgers made sure to re-sign him, but at a much higher rate.
“#Dodgers and Jason Heyward agree to a one-year, $9 million deal. @kileymcd was on it. Bringing Heyward back gives the Dodgers another corner outfield, allowing Mookie Betts to play more second base,” Dodgers insider Juan Toribio tweeted.
#Dodgers and Jason Heyward agree to a one-year, $9 million deal. @kileymcd was on it.
Bringing Heyward back gives the Dodgers another corner outfield, allowing Mookie Betts to play more second base.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) November 27, 2023
In 2023, Heyward slashed .269/.340/.473 with 15 home runs and a .813 OPS in 377 plate appearances.
He hadn’t been this good over a full season since 2012.
2012!
That’s 11 years.
The Dodgers helped Heyward re-engineer his swing and the results, and his hard work, paid off.
Now, he scored a much better contract for himself and his family.
From a depth standpoint, Heyward’s presence in the outfield helps the Dodgers have more innings for Mookie Betts in the middle infield, allowing them to deploy their best offensive lineup more often.
It’s nice to see Heyward feeling like an important part of a team again.
That’s what he was for the Dodgers: a crucial piece of the lineup.
He will remain one in 2024 and will try to help the franchise navigate further in the postseason, something they haven’t been able to do in a couple of years.
