The winner of the Jason Heyward sweepstakes could be revealed as soon as Thursday.
Jon Paul Morosi reported Thursday morning that talks with Jason Heyward were progressing. And the Cubs and Cardinals were among the finalists for the free agent outfielder. The Giants and Angels are believed to be the other teams that have shown the most interest in Heyward.
According to Andrew Baggarly, the Giants expect Heyward to choose a team today. The Giants are no longer in the mix for Heyward. Baggarly is not sure if a deal is done with a team and he thinks the Cubs or Cardinals is Heyward’s likely destination.
John Shea reported the Giants “never had any kind of inside track on Heyward, dollars and years seem far more than they’re willing to invest.”
Jon Heyman indicated a short-time after the reports from the Giants’ beat writers that the Angels are “still in on big outfield market.” And the players the Angels are interested in includes Jason Heyward and Alex Gordon.
And Joel Sherman reported that other teams think the Cubs and Cardinals are pushing for Heyward.
The Cubs have reportedly targeted Jason Heyward and have the room in the payroll in which to sign him. The latest estimates have Heyward signing for 10 years and upwards of $200 million. There has been a lot of speculation that his contract will include an opt out that would allow him to become a free agent again in four to five years.
Will update this report as information becomes available …
• Update 11:57am CST – According to Jesse Rogers, Jason Heyward is looking for a 10-year contract. Rogers thinks a more realistic contract for Heyward would be for seven years. Rogers said the Cubs pursuit of Heyward is legitimate and not to run up the price on the Cardinals.
• Update 1:20pm CST – Jon Paul Morosi reported the Angels are one of the finalists for Jason Heyward, along with the Cubs and Cardinals. Alden Gonzalez added “keep in mind Arte Moreno’s negotiating style in these instances: One figure, take it or leave it. Very little back-and-forth.”
• Update 1:34pm CST – Jayson Stark has heard that Heyward isn’t looking for 10 years and $200 million. Heyward is looking for eight or nine years at $24 million per season … $192-216 million.
• Update 2:24pm CST – Alden Gonzalez was told “the Angels are not seriously involved with Jason Heyward at this time.” Angels are not in on Alex Gordon, Justin Upton or Yoenis Cespedes right now. The Angels interest in any of the free agent outfielders could change.
• Update 3:43pm CST – Jon Heyman is reporting the Washington Nationals are the third team in on Jason Heyward. It’s the Cubs, Cardinals and Nationals for Heyward according to Heyman. And Heyman explained Heyward possibly would play center, leaving Bryce Harper in right and Jayson Werth in left.
• Update 3:49pm CST – Heyman reported that Jason Heyward “is said to have a $200 million offer, more likely to be from the Nationals or Cardinals.” Heyman thinks a fourth team could be on Heyward.
• Update 4:11pm CST – The Washington Post’s James Wagner said “people at the Winter Meetings expected the Nationals to, at least, inquire on Heyward, but there is some skepticism internally. Nationals like Heyward, he’s 26 with elite defense. Know what he will cost.”
• Update 4:32pm CST – Ken Rosenthal confirmed the Nationals are among the teams interested in Heyward.
• Update 4:47pm CST – According to Jim Bowden, the market for Justin Upton is “picking up steam.” The Orioles, Angels and Giants are all involved with Upton.
• Update 7:24pm CST – Jim Bowden reported that Nationals’ bid to Jason Heyward “now being categorized as serious threat to Cubs and Cardinals. Hard to bet against the Lerners.”
• Update 7:35pm CST – Jim Bowden is reporting Casey Close, Heyward’s agent, is “doing his thing as he did when he landed Zack Greinke with Diamondbacks.”