Here's the thing about Heyward, the Cubs biggest problem is not offense it's run prevention. The team is 23rd in total pitching WAR, 24th for the rotation and 11th in the bullpen. If there's any chance you can get him to a league average run producer you would want him in the lineup every day for his significantly better defense than Happ or Zobrist. The only time to find that out is now. Come July you need to figure out what you have an where you are and a relatively set lineup needs to emerge. It doesn't have to do that in May, or even early June. If you have to weaken your defense you might have to go get a starting pitcher at the deadline. Right now, in late May Heyward does you no good on the bench and Almora will get plenty of opportunities to play if he's as good as we think he is.
Thing is we've been playing that wait and see game with Heyward since 2015.... waiting another month isnt going to change anything with him and he going to all of a sudden be that much better...
I get that he brings a good glove to RF but without looking i think I'd be right in guessing that his failures at the plate hurts the team more then the occasional great catch or throws he has..
The offense is a problem now because of the inconsistencies...
Yea they can look like world beaters for 2 or 3 games, then they turn around and can't get 2 or 3 runs for a stretch..
I was listening to ESPN 1000 just a bit ago, they mentioned something Epstein had said...
He said their not going to do what they did in the first half last year and fall behind in the division to where they have to play catch up, he said they need to get off to a fast start..
He said that last year, they used up all their energy in the 2nd half and were wiped out come postseason..
I recall making that same point a while back...
The Brewers are legit right nowtheie main 8 are now and go with it and start getting into a rhythm...
Bouncing these guys around may have been ok when they were fresh out of the minors, but they've been up 3-4 yrs now.. they want and need consistency
You mention they need defense to help the pitching, then why is it ok to sit Almora and not Heyward?
At least Almora helps offensively
Zobrist and Happ may not be gold glovers in RF but they can help stabalize an up and down offense..
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