After signing the richest contract in Chicago Cubs history ahead of the 2016 season, Jason Heyward failed to provide even a modicum of support at the plate. In his first two seasons with the Cubs, the prized outfielder slashed just .243/.315/.353. Well below average by almost every measure.
The 29-year-old was coming off a career year with the St. Louis Cardinals when the Cubs landed him, so the hype around his signing created some expectations that were perhaps a bit too high. Be that as it may, the club was most likely not counting on Heyward to be a top three (or even four) bat in their lineup.