Joe Maddon will have a simple message for Jason Heyward in spring training: Just be yourself.
No one around the Cubs will be asking Heyward to “step up and be a leader” or become “the face of the franchise” or whatever other buzzwords hover around a new free agent with a huge contract.
The Cubs have the National League’s reigning Cy Young Award winner (Jake Arrieta), Rookie of the Year (Kris Bryant) and Manager of the Year (Maddon).
Anthony Rizzo is already a two-time All-Star first baseman, MVP candidate and clubhouse spokesman. Until two months ago, $155 million lefty Jon Lester had the richest contract in franchise history.