3 Cubs that Jed Hoyer should trade in wake of Theo Epstein’s resignation

Epstein didn’t make a lot of mistakes during his time with the Cubs, but the eight-year, $184 million deal he gave Heyward was easy to see right away and it has proven to be a big one. Heyward has three years left on that deal, with $65 million in base salary due to him along with a full no-trade clause set to kick back in. That’s the dictionary definition of an albatross contract.

Heyward posted an OPS over .800 (.848) in the shortened 2020 campaign for the first time since 2012, with a 129 OPS+. That came after the 2019 season that qualified as a power surge (21 home runs. So maybe, he’s found a little something at the plate.

Based on advanced metrics Heyward’s once elite defense in right field has fallen off in recent years, as he’s approached and crossed into his 30’s. But he’s hardly horrible yet, and if he can combine that with the above-average offensive contribution he can be a useful player.

But Heyward is not over $20 million a year level useful at this point, heading toward his age-32 season. But if the Cubs are willing to eat some money just to get rid of the majority of what he’s owed, and they can get Heyward to waive his no-trade clause, Hoyer can move on from one of his predecessor and mentor’s mistakes quickly.