Cubs: Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward to sit when Addison Russell returns

How will Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon split up playing time when Addison Russell returns? For starters, Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward need to lose starts.

We all know that the Chicago Cubs are deep. They have had many underperformers this season, but they still have more than enough worthy starting position players on a given day. With starting shortstop Addison Russell due to return from the disabled list soon, it is only going to get more difficult for Joe Maddon to fill out a lineup card.

First, let’s get this out of the way. When Russell returns, he needs to be the Cubs’ primary shortstop again. He is an elite defensive shortstop who was really starting to come along with the bat before his foot injury a couple of weeks ago. Russell should start at short most days for the Cubs.

El Mago

Javier Baez has played extremely well at shortstop in the absence of Russell. He is an elite defensive infielder who makes splash plays all over the field with his glove, arm, bat and base running. Simply put, Baez is a playmaker who also deserves to be in the everyday lineup.

(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

He can take a start from Russell every now and again at short, but Baez needs to be the Cubs’ everyday second baseman when Russell returns. I mean, Baez does everything well and is hitting an impressive .268/.308/.500. The double play combination of Russell and Baez is as good as the Cubs can do up the middle. They are legitimately elite defensively and both players have a ton of offensive upside.

When Russell returns, the primary infield should be set. In a huge majority of the rest of the games, Kris Bryant, Russell, Baez and Anthony Rizzo need to be the starters from third to first. However, the outfield is much more difficult to figure out.

What about the outfield?

Against all right-handed pitching, Kyle Schwarber needs to be the starting left fielder. Schwarber is hitting an impressive .267/.364/.562 since he was recalled from Triple-A in early July. Schwarber is an impact left-handed bat who needs to be in the lineup. Against most lefties, the Cubs can work others into the left field mix, but Schwarber’s powerful bat needs to be in the lineup against right-handed pitching.

Three players, one position

That still leaves us with three players; Ian Happ, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist, for one position (right field). Happ or Zobrist could take some starts at second base or in left field against a left-handed pitcher, but Baez and Russell should pretty much be playing every day and Jay in left with Almora in center would make plenty of sense against a lefty.

Let’s compared the 2017 statistics of the three remaining players:

Ian Happ: .248/.320/.515, .348 wOBA, 112 wRC+
Jason Heyward: .252/.315/.382, .302 wOBA, 82 wRC+
Ben Zobrist: .226/.315/.361, .296 wOBA, 79 wRC+

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Now, I realize that other parts of the game need to be taken into consideration, but based on offensive value, it is not even close. Ian Happ is far and away the best option remaining. Happ has proven to be a powerful and productive offensive player who adjusts to major league pitching extremely well. He is also a smart overall baseball player and an above average defender in the outfield.

Heyward will still draw a ton of starts in right field because of his elite defense and base running. But let’s be honest, his offensive production is nearly as bad as last season. Heyward’s overall game deserves some credit, but the difference between him and Happ with the bat is massive.

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Zobrist has been even worse than Heyward with the bat. His drop off in offensive production is baffling. I keep expecting Zobrist to break out of this funk, but it still hasn’t happened. At this point in the season, it is probably most likely that Zobrist will not get back on track offensively.

If he cannot be a positive offensive contributor, Zobrist brings very little overall value to the table.

Zobrist and Heyward simply must sit

In my opinion, it is very clear who should be drawing most of the starts in the outfield. Against right-handed pitching, Schwarber, Jay and Happ should start most games. Against lefties, Almora simply must be in there with some combination of Jay, Happ, Heyward and Zobrist filling in the corners.

When it comes down to it, this means that we should see less of both Heyward and Zobrist down the stretch. That may be a tough pill to swallow, but that is what’s best for the team.

Both are stable veterans who have had extremely impressive careers. But right now, the Cubs need to put the best players on the field. It may be harsh, but when Russell returns, neither Zobrist nor Heyward will be among the best options.

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Maddon will undoubtedly continue to mix and match his lineup a lot, but he cannot afford to mess around too much. The Cubs are still in a tough battle for the National League Central crown. If Zobrist and Heyward aren’t going to hit (it sure doesn’t look like they will), then they should become part-time players who have roles off of the bench for the rest of the season.

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Cubs: Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward should sit when Addison Russell returns

By Dan Schmelzer | Aug 22, 2017