Heyward is a strong foundation piece in areas where the Cubs are structurally weak, and he wanted to play for a winning team that would appreciate what he brings to the ballpark every day.
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In Heyward, the Cubs get a 26-year-old outfielder with three Gold Gloves, a career.
The St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals were also in the hunt to land Heyward, who played one season in St. Louis in 2015 after five years in Atlanta. 354 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot. But the Cubs are counting on him to help strengthen a batting order that includes young sluggers Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber. He led all NL outfielders with 24 Defensive Runs Saved. And after signing Heyward, it’s just as clear Ricketts will help them do it however he can.
Bryant tweeted: “Lackey, Zobrist & J-Hey”.
Since taking over baseball operations before the 2012 season, Cubs President Theo Epstein has stressed building sustained success. Simultaneously, the Cubs traded infielder Starlin Castro – one of their best hitters last September – to the Yankees for right-handed pitcher Adam Warren.
This comes 12 months after the Cubs gave Jon Lester what had been the richest contract in franchise history at the time, a six-year, $155 million megadeal that accelerated the rebuild in Wrigleyville.
In structuring the contract, the Cubs believe Heyward will be able to achieve the greatness forecast for him after the Braves took him as the 14th overall selection in the 2007 amateur draft.
Adding a veteran presence to the Cardinals’ clubhouse that features up-and-comers outfielder Stephen Piscotty and second baseman Kolten Wong, Gordon also bares the coveted clutch gene as he displayed in Game 1 of the World Series with a late home run.
This past year, Heyward had 13 home runs, 60 RBIs, 79 runs and a. 359 OBP in 154 games, so you can see (sarcasm alert) that they obviously had very equivalent seasons.
Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but the Cubs’ finances were expected to be enhanced by a lucrative local television contract after 2020.
The Cardinals’ offer was greater in total value than the one Heyward accepted, according to a source familiar with the negotiations but not a part of them for either NL Central rival.
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And with Heyward coming aboard, the Cubs may not be done. Chicago’s front office has been active this off-season, signing former Cardinals starting pitcher John Lackey to a two-year, $32 million deal and former Royals infielder Ben Zobrist to a four-year, $56 million deal.
