Cubs sign Heyward, favored to win WS

Julie Jacobson/AP Jason Heyward’s elite glove made him out of the top free agents on the market.

After missing out on re-signing right fielder Jason Heyward – he chose to sign for eight years, $184 million with the Cubs – St. Louis was left with a gaping hole in its outfield.

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.

Cubs are believed to have gotten heyward for less than $200M.

Even though the Cubs landed Heyward short of the $200-million mark, the deal reportedly includes possible opt-outs after his third and fourth seasons, both of which are tied to plate appearance requirements.

Heyward played for the Atlanta Braves since his 2010 rookie season, making the All-Star game. The Cardinals led the major leagues in victories last season and the 26-year-old Heyward arguably reigned as the team’s MVP.

Another executive contended that Heyward’s defense has been “overvalued”, especially when taken with his offensive production.

Gordon, 31, hit 13 home runs and 48 RBIs on a.271/.377/.432 slash line in 104 regular season games for the Royals last season.

By wins above replacement, a statistic that measures a player’s total contributions, Heyward ranks sixth among all outfielders.

The Cubs can move outfielder Jorge Soler for more pitching or a defensive-minded centerfielder like Tampa Bay’s Kevin Kiermaier, leaving Heyward in right. The same sort of situation – of course – could be the case for St. Louis or the Nationals, but neither team is really in a position where they are trying to trade someone to make room, or to lower their salary cap…so it only really makes sense if it’s The Cubs…

Chicago also signed infielder Ben Zobrist to a $56 million, four-year contract and traded Starlin Castro to the New York Yankees for pitcher Adam Warren.

The Cubs also added pitchers John Lackey (two years, $32 million) and Trevor Cahill (one year, $4.25 million).

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