Mike Chiari @@mikechiari Featured Columnist IV August 27, 2024
Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Houston Astros and veteran outfielder Jason Heyward reportedly reached an agreement on a contract Tuesday pending a physical, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.
Heyward, 37, was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers last week to make room on the roster for veteran utility man Chris Taylor after he was activated from the injured list.
After stints with the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, Heyward spent the past two seasons with the Dodgers.
In 63 games this season, Heyward is slashing just .208/.289/.393 with six home runs, 28 RBI, 25 runs scored and four stolen bases, marking one of the least productive seasons of his 15-year career.
Heyward was heralded as a potential superstar in the making when he was first called up by the Braves in 2010, as he hit .277 with 18 homers and 72 RBI, finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting and was named an All-Star.
His production never quite improved from there, though, and he went from a possible star to more of a role player.
While Heyward hasn’t been named to an All-Star team since his rookie year, he went on to win five Gold Glove Awards and won a World Series with the Cubs in 2016.
All told, Heyward has appeared in 1,766 career regular-season games, hitting .257 with 180 home runs, 709 RBI and 124 steals.
Getting DFA’ed by the Dodgers meant having to leave one of MLB’s top World Series contenders, but the Astros are contenders in their own right.
Houston is trending toward its eighth consecutive playoff appearance and fourth straight American League West division title.
The Astros have overcome a slow start to the season to compile a 70-61 record, giving them a 3.5-game lead in the AL West over the Seattle Mariners.
The 2017 and 2022 World Series champions have dealt with some injury issues this season with none bigger than star outfielder Kyle Tucker, who has been out since early June with a shin injury.
While there is hope for Tucker to return in September, he has yet to begin running the bases, per general manager Dana Brown (h/t CBS Sports).
Houston’s infield and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez have led the way offensively in Tucker’s absence, but an outfield comprised of Jake Meyers, Mauricio Dubón, Chas McCormick and Ben Gamel has lagged behind significantly.
Heyward gives the Houston outfield a veteran presence and a much-needed left bat given that Meyers, Dubón and McCormick all hit right-handed.
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