Heyward’s second year did not go as smoothly as the first, and ultimately ended with him wearing a Houston Astros uniform
Most bonds between fans and athletes have something like 85 percent to do with their performance on the field, and that’s okay. But sometimes those relationships go far beyond that and one grows into appreciating the human performing that task as well. Jason Heyward is not going to down as a particularly memorable Dodger, but in the time he was here, it was very easy to appreciate the leadership he brought. Losing Heyward was one of those sad moments of the more ruthless side of the business, particularly for close friend and teammate Freddie Freeman.
Having never quite lived up to the contract he signed with the Cubs, Heyward rediscovered himself as a complementary piece on the 2023 Dodgers, achieving an OPS above .800, something rare for his career.
Providing value on both sides of the ball, Heyward earned himself a spot back on the team for the 2024 season. However, the success of his first year wasn’t replicated, and eventually, the organization prioritized other options, particularly as it strengthened the roster at the trade deadline.
A major problem for Heyward’s Dodgers tenure in 2024 was the injury bug. After only playing four games, the veteran outfielder went on the IL with lower-back tightness, and that cost him a month and a half of action. Heyward returned in May and did so in outstanding fashion, hitting a two-run homer off Alexis Díaz to cap off a 7-3 win over the Reds.
Heyward played uninterruptedly for about a month and a half until a second trip to the injured list was required, this time dealing with a bone bruise. This second injured-list stint was not nearly as long with Heyward needing slightly over two weeks of recovery time, and oddly enough, he homered again in his first game back. In fact, if there is one thing to take away from Heyward’s 2024 with LA is the weird timing of his few home runs. Heyward also went deep in his final game with the team, shortly before getting designated for assignment on August 22.
Between the additions of Tommy Edman and Kevin Kiermaier, the Dodgers eventually ran out of roster room for Heyward near the end of the year, particularly as Chris Taylor needed to be activated off the injured list. Taylor was having an even worse year than Heyward, who hit .208 with the team, but in the middle of a multi-year lucrative deal, it wouldn’t have been as easy for the Dodgers to cut bait with him.
Roughly a week after getting designated for assignment, Heyward found a spot with the Houston Astros and showed significant improvement in his time there near the end of the year, slugging .473 in 55 at-bats for Houston.
2024 particulars
Age: 34
Stats: .208/.289/.393, 197 PA, 91 wRC+, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 4 SB, 10 doubles with Dodgers
Salary: $9 million (Dodgers paid roughly $8.73 million)
Game of the year
In incredibly bittersweet fashion, Heyward came on as a pinch-hitter in his final game with the Dodgers on August 20, and hit a go-ahead three-run shot against Andrés Muñoz to break a tie in the eighth inning.
GO AHEAD, J-HEY. pic.twitter.com/KQy20Kzwhs
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2024
The Dodgers beat the Mariners 6-3.
Roster status
Heyward is a free agent.