Cubs, Heyward agree to $184M, 8-year contract

On Friday, the star-crossed Cubbies signed all-around outfielder Jason Heyward to an eight-year, $184 million contract, improving themselves markedly in several areas, while at the same time weakening their chief divisional rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals.

A two-time Gold Glove victor, Heyward will likely play center field for the Cubs in 2016 before transitioning to a corner outfield spot further down the line. Heyward was traded to the Cardinals from the Braves and he finished last season hitting. Heyward made $7.8 million last season for the Cardinals, hitting 13 home runs for 60 RBIs and stealing 23 bases. He is a career.

Rebuilding their middle relief corps, the Washington Nationals finalized deals with right-hander and ex-Yankee Shawn Kelley on a $15 million, three-year contract and with left-hander and ex-Met Oliver Perez on a $7 million, two-year deal.

Heyward’s ability to get on base should enhance RBI opportunities for Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber – who all are 26 or younger.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but the Cubs’ finances were expected to be enhanced by a lucrative local television contract after 2020. By a variety of advanced measures, including offensive WAR, wOBA and wRC+, it’s a season that ranks as one of Heyward’s best to date, and possibly his best since his rookie year.

According to a FOX Sports, the Nationals bid $200 million for Heyward, and another team, believed to be the Cardinals, also offered $200 million.

The Cubs will lose their two highest picks in the upcoming draft for signing Heyward and Lackey. But a source confirmed the agreement, adding that the Cubs sold the multi-talented Heyward on their future and the chance to play a significant role in winning their first World Series since 1908. Earlier in the offseason, the Cubs landed righthander John Lackey on a two-year deal. Jorge Soler still has a good chunk of contract left, and it’s no secret that the Cubs are trying to trade Soler, probably for more pitching.

Heyward has spent the overwhelming majority of his career in right field.

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.