CHICAGO -- The Cubs released Jason Heyward on Monday, cutting ties with a five-time Gold Glove outfielder who never produced at the plate the way they hoped.
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said in August that Heyward would not return to the Cubs next year.
The 33-year-old Heyward had one season left on the $184 million, eight-year contract he signed before the 2016 season. He hit .245 with 62 home runs over seven years with the Cubs.
Heyward famously rallied teammates with an inspirational pep talk during a rain delay late in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series in Cleveland.