3 notable Cubs who won’t be back and where they will sign
The Chicago Cubs should have a lot of changes coming next season. Who are some of the key members who will not return?
After the 2021 trade deadline saw some cornerstone players’ departure, it was obvious that the Chicago Cubs were about to undergo a huge transition. The 2022 season saw the Cubs trying to stay steady but not quelling rumors on who was in or out. The track seems clear now. The Chicago Cubs are moving toward a younger squad next season.
Much younger.
The Cubs made it known Jason Heyward will not be back in 2023. Jed Hoyer, Cubs president of baseball operations, announced the team would release Heyward from his contract at the end of the season. In 48 games in 2022, Heyward hit .204/.278/.277 with only one home run. He’s been on the injured list for most of the season with a knee injury.
His release will allow Heyward to take his talents, when completely healthy, elsewhere while the Cubs hone in on their effort to move toward younger players.
The shift to younger players also questions whether Kyle Hendricks will remain with the club in 2023. Hendricks will be in the final season of his four-year $55.5 million deal, including a vesting option for 2024. Hendricks, however, has been on the 60-day injured list with shoulder issues. He pitched in 16 games this season, going 84.1 innings, 4-6 with a 4.80 ERA
If he remains, he would be a back-of-the-rotation anchor piece providing some leadership as Marcus Stroman would be the ace apparent.
Three players will not be back in 2023 due to free agency.
Drew Smyly won’t return to Cubs in ’23
Smyly signed a one-year deal with the Cubs in 2022 for $5.25 million and a mutual option for 2023. With the Cubs moving toward more youth, the Cubs and Smyly are not likely to use that option.
In 22 games for the Cubs, Smyly threw 106.1 innings with a record of 7-8 with a 3.47 ERA. He was not great, but he did throw a lot of innings for the Cubs, which had to be helpful to the club down the stretch.
The 33-year-old will be an attraction for teams this offseason looking for a left arm with a 40.6-percent ground-ball rate. Teams with a good infield defense would find him an excellent mid-rotation arm deep into the season.