Why the Dodgers ought to re-sign Jason Heyward

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When the Dodgers signed Jason Heyward to a minors contract last offseason, there was little expectancy for the 5 time Gold Handwear cover champion to reanimate his occupation.  Heyward made the opening day roster after signing as a non-roster invitee.  In 2023, he uploaded his finest regular season offending numbers given that the 2012 season, when he was with the Atlanta Braves.  For his efforts both on the area and in the club as a mentor and leader, he was granted with the Roy Campanella Honor, recognized by his teammates as the Dodgers gamer who ideal personifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Popularity catcher.  Heyward is once more on the open market, leaving the Dodgers with just one primary appropriate fielder on their roster.  With the Dodgers in requirement of additional edge outfield deepness, the Dodgers can utilize a revitalized bat, outstanding defense, and clubhouse management that Heyward brought with him this past season.  Here is why the Dodgers should restore Heyward for the 2024 season.  A rejuvenated bat Jason Heyward has never been a real power threat throughout his 14-year profession, just exceeding the 20 crowning achievement mark two times, hitting 27 in 2012 with Atlanta and 21 in 2019 with the Chicago Cubs, the last when league-wide home run numbers inflated.  In those seasons his at-bats per home run were 21. 7 and 24 Design Your Own Jersey. 5, respectively.  In a part-time squad role, Heyward connected for 15 crowning achievement in simply 334 at-bats, equating to a 22. 3 AB/HR, the finest mark for any type of Dodger with less than 400 at-bats this season.  Related 2023 review: Jason Heyward When considering Statcast numbers, Heyward highlighted on driving the round airborne with even more authority, causing a 112. 7 mph max exit speed and an average launch angle of 15. 5 levels, the highest possible of his job in the Statcast age.  When checking out his barrels-- balls strike in play whose similar hit key ins terms of launch angle and departure velocity that bring about a minimum. 500 standard and 1. 500 slugging portion-- Heyward struck a career high 22 barrels and published a barrel percent of 8. 0 percent, the very first time in his job he netted over a 5. 0 percent clip.  This all caused him posting a.  204 ISO isolated power which subtracts batting standard from slugging portion), the highest possible mark he's presented because the 2012 period.  Proven track record of stellar defense From 2012 to 2017, Jason Heyward was just one of the most effective defensive right fielders in all of baseball, posting a mixed 9. 0 dWAR, a combined DRS of 113, and a mixed UZR of 80. 1, winning 5 Gold Glove honors at the same time.  While his defense has reduced in the last few years, namely a -1. 6 UZR in his last year with the Cubs, Heyward was still a trustworthy defender this season, posting 3 DRS, 6 outs above standard OAA), and a 0. 9 UZR.  In comparable fashion to Mookie Betts, Heyward increased his protective adaptability by playing a position international to him at the big league level, as he made six appearances as an initial baseman, albeit in an exceptionally restricted example size.  Leader in the club In Game 7 of the 2016 World Collection throughout a rain delay, Heyward supplied an effective speech that assisted Chicago place a two-run rally in the leading fifty percent of the tenth inning, inevitably securing the Cubs their first Globe Series championship in 108 years.  When Heyward tattooed his manage the Dodgers, manager Dave Roberts alerted him that he would be playing within an army function, and Heyward didn't hesitate to accept his new role.  He completely embraced whatever tactical plan Roberts had for him, significantly when he started against Baltimore and was pulled after just one at-bat, where he linked for a home run.  Numerous Dodgers, consisting of Max Muncy and James Outman, applauded Heyward on his leadership capacities, his mentorship, and for choosing up the rest of the team when the outcomes aren't in their favor: Per Muncy: "He's such an excellent person.  He's so favorable.  He's always there choosing everybody up.  That's what he's best at..  He's constantly doing it on an everyday basis.  He's never ever wavered from that he was.  That talks to his character.  He's been a special guy to be around. " Per Outman: "He's just been a terrific advisor to me.  Sort of ever considering that spring training, he's always attempting to aid me improve..  I think that talks a lot to his character, specifically thinking about there were just many outfield spots and stuff like that.  He sort of took me under his wing as soon as possible.  He's just been a stable advisor for me. "Heyward's free firm value has increased after his successes with the Dodgers, but the Dodgers' outfield deepness on their existing 40-man lineup is paper slim.  Reviving Heyward indicates reviving a leader in the club, restoring a mentor who will assist the rookies via a tough 162 video game season, and reviving a player who is in the midst of a profession revival.