Few American League groups roil the blood of followers greater than the Houston Astros. Few gamers elicited extra fondness upon being designated for task than Jason Heyward final Thursday.
In a clumsy coincidence, Heyward is becoming a member of the ’ AL rivals, based on a number of reviews Tuesday.
Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reported Heyward, 35, is near signing with the Astros. Ben Verlander of Fox Sports activities reported the deal is completed.
Heyward slashed .208/.289/.393 for the earlier than he was designated for task final Thursday when Chris Taylor was activated from the injured checklist. Heyward formally turned a free agent Monday.
If and when the contract is official, the will likely be on the hook for all however a pro-rated portion of the main league minimal wage for Heyward, who agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract in December.
It’s deal for Heyward, who will get to hitch the first-place group within the American League West within the thick of a playoff hunt. The Astros are 70-61, 3.5 video games forward of the Seattle Mariners within the American League West.
Houston is trying to lengthen its streak of consecutive American League Championship Sequence appearances to eight — a streak that started with the 2017 World Sequence, wherein the Astros trash-can banged their technique to a seven-game sequence victory over the . Solely two hitters — Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman — stay on the Astros’ roster in the present day, however the unhealthy blood stays.
Enter Heyward, whose DFA elicited robust emotions from longtime teammate Freddie Freeman (and certain others within the ’ clubhouse).
“What Jason did for the in a yr and a half was fairly exceptional on the sphere, within the clubhouse, locally,” supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned Friday. “His fingerprint will likely be eternal.”
Heyward made the ’ roster in 2023 as a non-roster invitee out of spring coaching, then stunned everybody by hitting .269 with 15 dwelling runs and 40 RBIs in a platoon position.
A four-time Gold Glove Award winner in proper area, Heyward noticed time at 4 completely different positions and DH during the last two seasons.
Accidents restricted him to 63 video games this yr, and he was not practically as productive on the sphere when wholesome. Heyward’s sixth dwelling run of the season was the game-winner for the on Aug. 20 towards the Seattle Mariners.
Finally, that was too little too late to avoid wasting his roster spot as Taylor returned from the injured checklist. Now, he’ll hope to take his veteran expertise and clutch-hitting expertise to an keen Astros group.
If nothing else, it will make for an intriguing storyline within the World Sequence ought to each the and Astros advance that far.
Picture Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities
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