Former Houston Astros Outfielder Agrees to Deal with San Diego Padres
This outfielder wasn’t with the Houston Astros long, but he was able to help them clinch an AL West title.
Jason Heyward, a former Houston Astros outfielder, has agreed to a contract with the San Diego Padres, per a report in The Athletic.
Heyward appears to be part of a volume approach for San Diego to address depth issues in its outfielder. The franchise also recently agreed to a deal with Connor Joe.
Once the deals are official, the par will likely compete for a starting or platoon job opposite Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill. The rest of the outfield depth chart for the Padres includes Brandon Lockridge and Tirso Ornelas.
The 35-year-old Heyward remains a quality defender. But at this point in his career his is likely a left-handed hitting platoon outfielder who can DH and serve as a late-inning defensive replacement.
He joined Houston in late August after the Dodgers released him due to a downturn in his production. The Astros needed depth in their outfield, and he provide a little offense, with a slash line of .218/.283/.473/.756 — with four home runs and nine RBI in 24 games. He did help them close the deal in the AL West.
