(670 The Score) Entering his sixth season with the organization, Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward is embracing the changing perception in which most outsiders aren't expecting Chicago to win the NL Central in 2021.
"I love that we are not being picked to win," Heyward said. "I also played in the same division as the Washington Nationals (when I was with the Braves) and they won the division by five or 10 games. Normally preseason numbers and picks don't mean anything. When it comes to the fan base, it's both a gift and a curse. We have the best fans in baseball. That is not a dig at anyone else. The fans ride the highs and lows. We just have to block out that noise and come to the ballpark every day and work hard. The great thing about our fans is they are right there good or bad waiting for a better moment."
The Cubs won the division by going 34-26 before being swept by the Marlins in the wild-card round in 2020. They then proceeded to trade staff ace Yu Darvish to the Padres in late December. Heyward understands that 2021 could be the end of the Cubs' core as we know it, as first baseman Anthony Rizzo, shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant are in the final seasons of their contracts. Heyward was in the same situation with the Cardinals in 2015, as he played out his contract before signing with the Cubs the following winter.
Heyward admitted there were "challenges" for him in 2015, as he was traded to the Cardinals after playing for the Braves from 2010-'14.
"I learned to just focus on the game of baseball, which I could control," Heyward said. "So when you have a walk year, you know there will be a lot of new people and new front offices to deal with. In my case, they said they wanted to talk about an extension, but they respected me and let me go play the season."
Heyward kept his advice for his teammates simple – focus on 2021.
"For those guys, the message is we want to win," Heyward said. "We want to win. Some of us who have championships together are in a walk year. Some of the guys coming in have championships in walk years. I think if you put that first and win that you will look back and say, 'OK, I did well for myself headed into free agency.' Just focus on your teammates and be yourself."
Heyward had a solid 2020 season, hitting .265 with an .848 OPS and his usual strong defense. He rarely gets caught up in statistics, but he did admit he believes the Cubs trust him more now to produce better after he had a poor offensive season in 2016.
"When it comes to my time in Chicago and my offense, last year and every year I just have got more comfortable with the system," Heyward said. "I had some slow starts that eventually came out OK, but initially, it was, 'Hey let's look at the numbers.' There were times that I did well and I wasn't starting the next day. That would be confusing for someone like me. You learn that you have to fit into a system. I think I have a pretty good grasp on that now."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
