The St. Louis Cardinals missed out on signing outfielder Jason Heyward when he opted to take a deal from the Chicago Cubs last week. With Matt Holliday getting older, rumors suggest he could be poised for a position change to make room in the outfield for the team.
Previous rumors talked about the Cardinals possibly making a run at outfielder Alex Gordon, as he's a top-tier free agent, but one of the cheaper ones in that category. That speculation is ongoing as Holliday is reportedly exploring his potential elsewhere on the field.
"Matt Holliday is working hard at first base in Jupiter, Fla.," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "According to spies who have seen workouts up there, Holliday is doing it on his own to try to lengthen his career, but if he looks really good there, maybe they'd still consider Alex Gordon."
As we wrote earlier today, the Royals are reportedly lowballing Gordon with a four-year offer in the $50 million range, despite the fact many project the veteran to sign a $90-$100 million deal. If those talks don't progress, even though the two sides are interested in a reunion, a bigger market team such as the Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels or San Francisco Giants may swoop in and take him away once the outfield market further materializes.
ESPN's Jim Bowden lists the Cardinals as one of the "most likely destinations" for Gordon, so it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility. St. Louis reportedly offered Heyward a $200 million contract before he signed on for $184 million with Chicago, which means it's clear they are willing to spend on the right player to upgrade their outfield (or roster, for that matter).
Gordon is a fit, but they would have to make it work.
"The Cardinals missed out on Heyward and seemingly have room and dollars for an outfielder, but Heyward seems to be the one outfielder they were prepared to give a nine-figure contract," adds ESPN's Buster Olney. "Upton could theoretically be a fit as someone who could assume Matt Holliday's place in their lineup and budget beyond 2016, but St. Louis already has right-handed-hitting outfielders in Stephen Piscotty, Randal Grichuk and Holliday. Alex Gordon hits left-handed, but his outfield experience is in left field, and if he signed with the Cardinals, either he or Holliday would have to shift to right for next season."
St. Louis is far behind in their game of chess with the Cubs and need to make up the ground they've lost. Heyward and starter John Lackey are now with Chicago. The Cardinals also fell short in the Ben Zobrist sweepstakes after he agreed to a four-year deal with the Cubs.
Heyward is a rare talent that the Cardinals missed out on, but they have the opportunity to add Gordon, who will be a fraction of the cost, provide similar high-caliber defense in left field and add more power to the lineup than Heyward contributed.
It was said last week the team planned to pursue Gordon after losing Heyward, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports.
And here's a fun fact: Gordon and Heyward are represented by the same agent - Casey Close of Excel Sports Management. The two sides have already talked this offseason, but perhaps the next conversation will have better results for the Cardinals.
