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Cubs to cut ties with OF Jason Heyward after the season

Cubs to cut ties with OF Jason Heyward after the season

CHICAGO (AP), -- The Chicago Cubs will end their relationship with Jason Heyward, right fielder for the Chicago Cubs, after this season. This is the end of one of baseball's most costly and unproductive free-agent signings. Heyward still has one year on his contract.

Jed Hoyer, Cubs President of Baseball Operations, stated Monday that he will not be joining the team next season. "We have already spoken to him about this. We want to give him the entire offseason to find a chance. We're going in a different direction, considering where we are as a team and where we're likely to be in the corner field next year, with Seiya Suzuki in (rightfield),

Heyward, who turns 33 this Tuesday, signed an $884 million contract before the 2016 season. He has a batting average of.245 and 62 home runs in seven seasons at the Cubs.

During a rain delay in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, he gave an inspiring pep talk to his teammates that helped them rally. Chicago won 8-7 in 10 innings and ended a drought that had been going on since 1908.

Heyward is currently hitting.204 this season with one home run, 10 RBIs and one walk in 137 at-bats. Right knee inflammation has put him on the 10-day injured reserve since June 27.

The Cubs still owe Heyward $22 million for his final year after releasing him this winter. Any team can sign Heyward at the minimum salary in the major leagues once he clears waivers.

Hoyer stated, "I think he is a great soundingboard for the guys. Jason and I have discussed where things are going to go in the future." We won't have him on the team next year. We will go our separate ways at the end of next year and give him the opportunity to have that full offseason to search for a job.

Heyward was a regular player on the Cubs 2016 World Series winning team and was praised for his famous speech to teammates during Game 7.

While he won Gold Glove Awards in 2016 and 2017, for his right-field defense, his offensive production has been steadily declining. Heyward's future at the Cubs was in doubt due to this regression and the addition of younger corner outfielders.

Hoyer said that Heyward doesn't like it, but he understands where we stand.

In other news, the Cubs have claimed outfielder Franmil Ryes from Cleveland on waivers. Reyes batted.213 in 70 games with the Guardians. He had nine homers, 28 RBIs, and a.603 OPS. In 263 at-bats, he struck out 104 times.

Reyes, 27, is a career hitter at.253 with 101 home runs and an.793 OPS in five Major League seasons.