I don’t have the Maddon hero worship many do, but you can’t deny that his patience is one of the critical reasons Javy is just now becoming a borderline All Star. If Happ were to quit improving (and it was August instead of July), we might see something different.

I’m willing to not get too bent out of shape (like it matters to anyone) for hopes Ian continues to improve in CF. I’ve often wondered if the Cubs look at Ian as a replacement for Zobrist’s role in 2020.

This is probably too galaxybrain but on days when Almora sits, I wonder if they’d ever consider Heyward in center, Happ in left, and Schwarber in right. That probably gives Schwarbs’ newfound athleticism a little too much credit but if he could be as adequate there as he is in left, it’d be a great way to take advantage of his arm.

Heyward as a backup center fielder, especially in his current form, is a great thing to have, and as you say, he should be the automatic CF if Almora is sitting. If neither Almora or Heyward is in the game, a) weird b) then I *guess* Happ goes there, and then not in any other case. Also, with how good he’s looked at 3rd, I’m encouraged with his ability to be a similar sort of fill-in around that infield, although corner OF seems to be his clear best fit.