SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. _ Cubs President Theo Epstein said Jason Heyward has a plan in place for this offseason that will help him work toward rediscovering his stride on offense.
After signing an eight-year, $184 million contract last offseason, Heyward hit .230 with a career-low seven home runs and .631 OPS during the regular season. In the postseason, he hit .104 with a double, a triple and an RBI.
Epstein said at the general managers meetings this week he has "no doubt (Heyward) will address it" and praised the way he handled the season-long slump.
"He never backed down from his struggles, and a lot of players with the performance he had after signing a big contract would have found their way to the disabled list or found their way to avoid the big moment," Epstein said. "Instead, he was fully engaged with his teammates and even assumed the leadership position at the very end. So that bodes extremely well for the future."
Epstein said Heyward found other ways to make an impact besides his offense _ from defense that earned him a Gold Glove in right field this week to his baserunning to the now-famous speech to his teammates during the 17-minute rain delay in Game 7 of the World Series.
"We're excited to see him perform as a complete player when the bat bounces back," Epstein said.
