I love Fowler, but it isn't even close. And it's basically a guarantee that this turns into a 3 year deal anyways due to his ability to opt out at 29 years old. Unless you're a traditional guy that doesn't buy into sabermetrics, Heyward is considered probably one of the top 3-5 OFs in baseball. Fowler's probably about the same value hitter as Heyward, but Heyward is an elite fielder while Fowler is average at best and is only getting worse. The question now is whether they'll move Soler for another SP or if they'll just keep him in RF and play Heyward in CF. But either way, I would guess the Cubs will probably be WS favorites going into the new season.
It is an upgrade but Heyward isn't worth 184 million IMO. He hit .293 last year which is his career high. Fowler walks a lot like Heyward. Fowler isn't that bad in CF. He isn't a GG OF like Heyward is RF.
Heyward is an elite RF but is scheduled to play CF and that will put more wear on him. He has made the all-star team one time in his career. I wouldn't pay him 23 million for 8 years. I doubt he will opt-out unless he is clearly over achieving and can get more money.
I wouldn't put him in my top 5 OF in MLB
1. Trout
2. Harper
3. McCutchen
4. AJ Pollock
5. Stanton
Then you got guys like Carlos Gomez, Mookie Betts, Jose Bautista.
I think its a definite upgrade but not that much. I would love to hear
Knicks411 opinion.
Heyward plays like Carl Crawford did. Now he is still 26 but I don't expect him to get that much better.
The Cubs are definitely a team to watchout for with their bullpen re-tooled. Arrieta, Lester, Lackey, and that lineup 1-8 will be the best in baseball
Zobrist, Heyward, Bryant, Rizzo, Schwaber, Soler, Montero, Russell, p
That is a sick lineup.