Jason Heyward has signed with the Cubs, according to multiple reports. Terms were not immediately disclosed, but ESPN and several other outlets report the deal is for $184 million over eight years. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports Heyward has two opt outs, after three and four years, if he gets a certain number of plate appearances.
At 26 years old, Heyward was the most sought-after outfielder on baseball's offseason market. He turned down offers of more than $200 million from several teams — the opt outs could be worth a fortune, though — according to Yahoo! Sports.
TOP FREE AGENTS: 25 best | C | 1B | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP | RP
Welcome to the Cubs, Jason Heyward!!! pic.twitter.com/10hhH9PEF7
— Chicago Cubs Nation (@Cubs_Fanpage) December 11, 2015A left-handed hitter and right fielder, Heyward started the 2015 season, his first with the Cardinals, a bit cold. But over his final 94 games, Heyward hit .317 with an .872 OPS. He also had career highs with 160 hits, 33 doubles and 23 stolen bases in 2015. He hit .268/.353/.431 with 97 home runs in his six-year career.
The Braves drafted Heyward 14th overall in the 2007. He spent five seasons in Atlanta before being traded to the Cardinals in November 2014. St. Louis was in play to sign Heyward to a long-term deal. The Nationals were, as well.
#Cubs have agreed to terms with Jason Heyward, multiple sources say, and are not done yet. They are trying to trade for a starting pitcher.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 11, 2015Big test of the Cardinals' resolve not to do something stupid if they lose out on Heyward.
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) December 11, 2015A hitter with decent plate discipline, Heyward is an even better defender, with a plus-24 in Fangraphs' Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) metric last season. Only the Braves' Ender Inciarte (plus-29) and the Rays' Kevin Kiermaier (plus-42) ranked higher among outfielders in 2015.
Since 2011, Jason Heyward ranks 38th among MLB outfielders (minimum 1,500 PAs) with a .769 OPS. Fifth in WAR at 24.8.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 11, 2015MORE: Winners and losers of the winter meetings | Best Cubs of all time
Heyward joins the versatile Ben Zobrist as the Cubs' big offseason splashes and will be a centerpiece in a lineup that includes top-flight young talent in Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Anthony Rizzo.
General manager Theo Epstein and field manager Joe Maddon are going all-in on 2016's club after last season's NL Championship Series appearance.