Jason Heyward Talks On Contract Extension and Leadership Of The Atlanta Braves

Jason Heyward has had a busy week…and not in a bad way.

On Tuesday night, JHey won his second NL right field Gold Glove Award and on Wednesday night he was awarded with the Wilson defensive player of the year award.  On Friday night, we will find out if he will win his first Platinum Glove Award…though he has stiff competition with teammate Andrelton Simmons.

The 24-year-old has already made a huge impression in Atlanta in the five seasons he’s been with the team.  He consistently puts up above-average numbers at the plate, he steals bases, bats leadoff and/or anywhere he’s asked to, plays tremendous defense and is overall a great team player.

Prior to the start of the 2014 season, the Braves gave contract extensions to key players Freddie Freeman, Simmons, Julio Teheran, and Craig Kimbrel.  Many believed JHey was next in line to receive a contract but that day never came.  Then news broke of a deal with Heyward and the Braves but it only lasted the duration of his final two years on his contract.

The speculations swirled and have been swirling ever since.  Does Heyward want to test the free agent market?  Do the Braves want to trade him this offseason to see if they can get many prospects in return?

I hope no to both of those questions as I want the Braves to lock down JHey for multiple years.  But it’s not up to me…

Jason appeared on Power Alley on MLB Network Radio Thursday morning and was asked to discuss the possibility of signing that long-term deal with the Braves.

"I grew up a Braves fan, I grew up in Georgia.  I grew up riding past the stadium every day.  They know where I stand as far as wanting to play in Atlanta.  The front office is well-aware, and I think the fans are well-aware.  That’s my passion, going out there and playing every day.  I love playing the game and it was icing on the cake to be drafted by the home team for me in the draft.  There’s a business side of things, and that’s going to take care of itself, but y’know, we’ll have those conversations, I guess, whenever they see fit (laughs).  But, as far as me, I’m just trying to get ready to go play baseball, have fun doing it, and it’s been a pleasure playing in Atlanta thus far."

Jason isn’t just a fine offensive and defensive player, he’s also one of the team’s “leaders”.

Since Chipper Jones retired, the Braves have had leaders but after each season ends, somehow we find a way to get ride of said leader.  The Braves are trying to get back to “The Braves Way” and it seems evident that they would like to resign Heyward.

"I think leadership is attained by being the same person everyday…as far as showing up and wanting to get business done.  Guys can relay on you to bring the same energy every time and be about business and someone who everyone can lean on…that’s not necessarily on production because theres going to be bad days and days where you want to come through but it doesn’t happen.  I feel like leadership is something everyone can rely on to be steady and stay even-keeled and always stay even towards that common goal as a group."

Heyward was able to stay healthy and played in 149 games in 2014.  The Braves have Freeman locked up for years to come but JHey is the more local leader on the field.

"As far as leadership, I don’t feel as though a leader or a person has to claim.  I feel like it’s whatever the group says and whatever the group roles with than that’s what I’m rolling with.  I try to be the same person everyday, I enjoy showing up to work and being with my teammates…it’s a long season and we’re a family, we will have ups and downs.  I know a lot of people appreciate that and have voiced that to me but it’s all the same for me.  I feed off my teammates and I love to see them do well and I love to be there and reliable for them."

To hear these words from Jason, I feel more confident he is growing into the leader/player we all want him to be.  A great leader cares about his teammates and wants them to succeed more than themselves.  Hopefully this offseason signing Jason Heyward to a contract extension is high on John Hart‘s priority list.