Free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward figures to be one of the biggest prizes of the entire 2015 Major League Baseball offseason, and the Chicago Cubs reportedly have their eyes on him after a National League Championship appearance last year.
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Cubs Reportedly Focusing Resources on Heyward
Monday, Dec. 7
According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Heyward “is said to be seeking at least eight years and could command $20 million or more per year.” However, Wittenmyer confirmed the Cubs are “focusing the money they saved” in an effort to land the outfielder.
General manager Jed Hoyer said, “We have some available resources; I think that much is clear,” when asked about targeting an outfielder, per Wittenmyer. The report also indicated signing Heyward or another outfielder could lead to a trade of right fielder Jorge Soler as Chicago looks to add more depth in a number of different areas, including starting pitching.
Patrick Mooney of CSNChicago.com added, “The Cubs have envisioned Jason Heyward batting leadoff and playing center at Wrigley Field, according to a source familiar with the team’s thinking, but it will take several steps to turn that dream into a reality.”
There are a number of things that make Heyward so attractive to the Cubs in that scenario.
For one, he is only 26 years old and is hitting the open market in the middle of his prime. Many times, teams sign free agents based on past accomplishments and are stuck with that player as he declines in his 30s (the Cubs experienced that when they signed Alfonso Soriano in 2006). That likely wouldn’t happen with Heyward for at least a few more years.
Heyward would also slide right into the centerfield and leadoff spot that free agent Dexter Fowler occupied last season. The Cubs need to replace Fowler in the field and the lineup, and they would do just that with one free-agent acquisition if it was Heyward.
Heyward also sports a .353 career on-base percentage and could set the table for sluggers Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo throughout the season and wouldn’t be asked to provide too much power (he hit 27 home runs in 2012 but never reached 20 in any other season).
Perhaps most importantly, the Cubs would add a three-time Gold Glove winner to their outfield who struggled in the field during the NLCS loss to the New York Mets. Even if Chicago converted Heyward from right field to center, his 122 total defensive runs saved above average during his six seasons, according to FanGraphs, is a testament to just how talented he is with the glove.
He is also young enough to cover ground in the middle of the outfield and could theoretically help cover for any defensive deficiencies Kyle Schwarber, who played catcher in the minor leagues, shows in left on balls in the gap.
Heyward would also represent yet another piece of the St. Louis Cardinals’ core from a season ago that the Cubs signed this offseason after they landed starting pitcher John Lackey. St. Louis won the National League Central and is Chicago’s primary division rival and main obstacle standing in the way of sustained postseason success.
Any signing that strengthened the North Siders and weakened the Cardinals will play well in Wrigley Field in 2016.
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