Jan. 14--Jason Heyward has played only 32 games in center field during his major league career, but Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon has no qualms about putting his highly prized free agent acquisition in the middle of the outfield.
"I have no problem," Maddon said Wednesday night at his "Thanksmas" charity event.
Maddon recalled watching a young Jim Edmonds play right field during spring training in Palm Springs in the early 1990s in the Angels' organization before becoming an eight-time Gold Glove center fielder with the Angels and St. Louis Cardinals.
"We had in him in right field and he made a couple plays and threw this guy out from right field and I went back and said,' I think this guy can play center field,' " Maddon said. "You watch Jason Heyward play right, I don't understand what the negative rub would be. Why he can't play center field, because center field actually is an easier position to play than right field?
"(Heyward) runs well enough, he's got the arm, the nose for the ball and all that stuff, a great first step. I don't understand why you'd think he cannot or why he'd be unable to not be happy with it.
"I got him being good out there."
Heyward, who has started 751 games in right over a six-year major league career, told the MLB Network he "feels comfortable" in center. The Cubs currently have Jorge Soler in right, although several teams have inquired about his services because of his power potential and age (23).
"I always loved the position (center)," Heyward told MLB's Hot Stove show.
