Cubs to cut ties with Jason Heyward after the season

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The Chicago Cubs will cut ties with right fielder Jason Heyward after this season, ending one of baseball's most expensive and unproductive free-agent signings with a year left on his contract.

"We’re not going have him with the team next year," Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer said Monday. "We’ve already talked to him about that. We want to give him the full offseason to find an opportunity. For us, given where we are as a group and where we’re likely going to be in the corner outfield next year, with Seiya (Suzuki) in (right field), we’re going to move in a different direction."

Heyward, who turns 33 on Tuesday, signed a $184 million, eight-year contract before the 2016 season but has batted only .245 with 62 home runs in seven seasons with the Cubs.

He famously rallied teammates with an inspirational pep talk during a rain delay late in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series in Cleveland. Chicago went on to win 8-7 in 10 innings, ending a championship drought that dated back to 1908.

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Jason Heyward #22 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on June 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.   (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Heyward is hitting .204 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 137 at-bats this season. He's been on the 10-day injured list since June 27 because of right knee inflammation.

After releasing Heyward this winter, the Cubs will still owe him $22 million for the final year of his contract. Once he clears waivers, any team can sign him at the minimum major league salary.

"I think he’s a great sounding board for the guys, but Jason and I have talked