Moving On

Friday's biggest stories in baseball centered around Jason Heyward and Michael Cuddyer. Both made it official they'd be moving on from where they played in 2015.
Heyward (above) cashed in on free agency, signing what could be an eight-year $184-million deal. With two opt-outs built in, his stay in Chicago could be just three or four years. But by leaving the arch-rival Cardinals, he might have helped change the balance of power in the NL Central for 2016.
Cuddyer (below) surprised many with his decision to retire with a year remaining on his contract with the Mets. His year in New York -- where he was brought in to play along boyhood pal David Wright and be a good clubhouse presence -- was hampered by injury and ineffectiveness. Cuddyer did get to play in his first World Series, but was hitless in game one, the only one in which he appeared.
His year in New York -- where he played along boyhood pal David Wright and serve as a positive clubhouse presence -- was hampered by injury and ineffectiveness. Cuddyer did get to play in his first World Series, but was hitless in game one, the only one in which he appeared. In November, he underwent core muscle surgery, but was expected to rehab during the winter and return to the Mets, likely as a reserve in 2016. Instead, he admits on The Players Tribune website, "After 15 years, the toll on my body has finally caught up to me. Ever since I was a kid, my mantra has been, “Play hard, dream big.” But I’ve always believed in loyalty to the game itself: the day that I can’t give it 100 percent is the day I have to walk away. Now that the day has come, it’s harder than I thought it would be."

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