One day after the MLB Winter Meetings the Chicago Cubs reportedly landed free agent outfielder Jason Heyward on an eight-year, $184 million contract. The deal became official on Tuesday afternoon.
The Cubs held a press conference at 3:30 p.m. ET to introduce Heyward, who is the newest member of the team. He joins John Lackey and Ben Zobrist as the other free agents Chicago acquired this offseason.
Heyward and Lackey spent the 2015 season with the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. Heyward, 26, batted .293/.359/.439 with 79 runs scored, 13 home runs, 60 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 154 games with the MLB's 24th-ranked offense.
He'll now reportedly play center field for the Cubs in 2016.
Hey Hey... Heyward is a Cub! @JasonHeyward officially signs an eight-year deal: https://t.co/p1VQBBl1ZB pic.twitter.com/PWV1NTTPV9
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 15, 2015
"I am blessed to be here and play the game I love for a living." - @JasonHeyward pic.twitter.com/K8cClKJnlK
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 15, 2015
"Knowing the core is young and those guys are going to be around for a while is very exciting," Heyward said during the press conference. "I don't want to take the highest dollar amount when my gut is telling me to go somewhere else."
The club has not yet confirmed the annual details of his contract, but Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting the 26-year-old will get a full no-trade protection from 2016-2018 and limited protection from 2019-2020. It was previously reported Heyward would have two opt-out clauses - one after 2018 and another after 2019 (if he reaches 550 plate appearances) - which Heyman confirmed.
Heyman also reported Heyward's annual salaries: $15 million in 2016; $21.5 million in 2017; $21.5 million in 2018; $20 million in 2019; $21 million in 2020; $21 million in 2021; $22 million in 2022; and $22 million in 2023. Heyward will receive a $20 million signing bonus, all of which is deferred.
When all is said and done, Heyward's 2016 salary will put the Cubs' payroll over the $165 million mark unless the team opts to make other trades to move some money.
With perhaps the best offseason of any MLB team, the Cubs are now the favorite to win the 2016 World Series.
Stay tuned for confirmations on Heyman's various reports.
