I think this is a plus for the Cubs, especially if they play him in center field and do not trade away Soler or Schwarber. Heyward is a genuinely good outfielder and a consistently good patient hitter. He is by no means a great hitter, though, and in that sense he is a little overvalued, at least to my way of thinking. I definitely see Heyward as a potential improvement in center field over Fowler and, honestly, about the equivalent as a hitter in the Cubs alignment.
No question the Cubs have strengthened themselves short term with Zobrist and Lackey, and, again, potentially long term with Heyward. I qualify that assessment of Heyward mainly because his new contract has multiple opt-out clauses.
Whether they need to move either Soler or Baez right now is a moot point. Personally, I think you do this only if you can get a third ace with long term team control. So far I do not see that sort of pitcher being available right now, other than Cueto, who is, of course, a free agent, and so costs nothing but money.
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