....“We’ve had a stable core for 5 years ... We’re going to have change.” — Cubs GM Jed Hoyer[/i]
Hayward hasn't been in the "5-year" core, he's only been for four. Obviously he's never considered in the "change" group, because he's not good enough to be movable. But one "core change" might be re-utilizing him as a "mix" guy rather than an every-day-starter commitment. What if they did sign Castellanos and Shogo, for example.... and Hayward was used as a 4th outfielder? Might that be a "change"?
I've probably written this before, but there is **always** change. Suppose you went into the season with Shogo in center, Castellanos in the OF mix, 2B shared among Hoerner-Bote-Happ-Descalzo... would that not be quite a bit of change? Changing >2/8 of the lineup, both 2B and CF, that seems like considerable change to me, no? If Hayward was also re-appropriated, might not changing three starting positions be lots and lots and lots of change.... even if you did bring the other big 5 back? Not likely, I realize.
Hopefully if make some "change" deal involving one of the core 5, it ends up being very talent-fair and talent-advantageous for us.