Chicago Cubs:
Cubs add outfielder Jason Heyward to an already potent line-up. Today, the North Siders signed ‘J Hey’ for 8 years, $184MM:
“The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with free-agent outfielder Jason Heyward on an 8-year, $184 million deal, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick and multiple reports.
Heyward’s deal has two opt-outs: One is after 3 years, the second after an unknown timeframe, according to ESPN and multiple reports.
The Cardinals and Nationals were also in the hunt for Heyward, who played with St. Louis this past season.
Arguably St. Louis’ MVP last season, Heyward posted a WAR of 6.5, the most among Cardinals position players by a considerable margin. He also is one of the best in baseball in defensive runs saved and has won two Gold Glove awards.
Heyward finished his first season in St. Louis with 13 homers, 60 RBIs and a .293 average, helping the Cardinals to the NL Central title and the best record in baseball in 2015 at 100-62.
Heyward has stolen at least 20 bases in three of the last four seasons, including each of the last two. He’s an efficient basestealer, swiping 43 of 50 since the start of 2014. The 86 percent success rate ranks eighth among those with at least 20 attempts in that span.”
ESPN, “Cubs add to offseason haul by adding Jason Heyward on 8-year, $184M deal,” December 11, 2015