Jason Heyward’s well-rounded game might best be appreciated by the “data-driven organization” that has watched him all season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. This might be why the Cardinals could go into team-record contract territory to re-sign Heyward this winter, and the club is indeed interested in bringing him back “though they recognize it might take another team (or more) to help frame negotiations.” Goold writes that the Cards are open to the idea of including an opt-out clause in Heyward’s deal, which would allow the 26-year-old to potentially return to the open market in four or five seasons and score another big contract.
Here’s the latest from around baseball as we head into the last week of the regular season…
- Heyward, for his part, tells Goold that how the Cardinals view players “is ideal for a player like myself….I’m trying to do anything to win and people see that. That’s what they care about. They’re not looking at overall statistics. There are a few (teams) that would fit me, and here is one of them. That stands out. For me, it stands out especially.”
- Dave Dombrowski has retained many members of the Red Sox front office staff, which Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com writes was contrary to the public perception that Dombrowski was going to “blow up the organization” and restaff it with past colleagues. Instead, Dombrowski has made a few changes (perhaps most notably the hiring of Frank Wren as a senior VP of baseball ops) but has mostly kept the well-regarded Sox personnel in place. Promoting Mike Hazen from assistant GM to general manager underscores this continuity.
- Chase Utley has been getting some time at third base for the Dodgers, which JP Hoornstra of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin notes both helps the Dodgers depth-wise and could help the veteran continue his career as a utility infielder in future seasons.
- A reader asked John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer (on Twitter) if the Reds might pursue Alfredo Simon as a free agent innings eater. Fay doesn’t see the team going down that path, but he thinks that they could consider Bronson Arroyo, another former Red, in a similar role. After missing all of 2015 recovering from Tommy John surgery, Arroyo will likely have his 2016 option bought out by the Dodgers and he’ll be available on the open market.
Really hope they trade Bourjos if they go after Heyward, Bourjos is a master at CF and should be every day for someone.
Too bad MM thinks he’s nothing but a pinch runner.
PB is hitting .205. he hit .235 last year. he doesn’t rate more playing time. you have to earn it.
Right. He is being played in his ideal role as backup CF/defensive/speed sub
He cant be a worse hitter than Sam Fuld.
If the Rockies trade Cargo, they should grab him for CF Dickerson-Bourjos-Blackmon would be great to watch!
If he played CF he’d also have to bat per MLB rules
Can I start the “Let Heyward Go!!” chants??
With Grichuk and Piscotty, I’m not sure the Cardinals are going to be too worried about re-signing Heyward. I do like the idea of those 3 being the future of the Cards outfield but I don’t know if Mo is really going to commit to Heyward.
I just don’t see Heyward aging well. Once his legs start to go he will be a liability. He may only be 26 but he has a lot of miles for being 26 as well
I agree… I don’t think he would be worth what the predictions are or even considerably less than what people are predicting he will command.
Grichuk and Piscotty are out-performing their true talent level. The Cardinals value Heyward very highly, I expect them to make a real run at keeping him.
Not sure you or i know what Grichuk & Piscotty’s true talent levels are. Piscotty has always been touted as a very smart and average driven hitter that goes to all fields. Grichuk has always been thought of as a small but strong package that needed to refine his strike zone.
I believe the Cards will make a competitive offer to Heyward that will include an opt out clause. Mo has so many options in the outfield, that if Heyward is re-signed, it may be at the cost of Adams being traded to allow Piscotty to play 1st. At least until Holliday is gone in a few years.
I hope the Cardinals let another team spend 200m on Heyward
Why won’t comments post? Is this typically buggy?
Ok there they are an he later…