New York Yankees Rumors: Will The New York Yankees Target Jason Heyward?

According to FanGraphs WAR, Jason Heyward has been the 15th most valuable position player in 2015.  Heyward’s value, combined with his young age, 26, figures to bring Heyward a nice market.  According the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo, per Brendan Kuty, the New York Yankees could be a part of that market:

"1. Jason Heyward, RF, Cardinals — There’s no reason to believe the Cardinals won’t make a sincere effort to re-sign him, but they’ll have competition. Heyward is a nice player, but one with a sub-.800 OPS and only 12 homers. He owns a 5.4 WAR, and an outfield defensive WAR at 1.3. What’s he worth? He turned 26 last month so five years, $100 million isn’t out of the realm of possibility. But is he all that? The Yankees, Angels, Cardinals, Mets, Indians, Mariners, and Giants could be suitors."

As Michael previously covered, the Yankees were interested in Heyward when the Atlanta Braves put him on the trade market, but ultimately Heyward was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals for Shelby Miller.  The Yankees outfield is set for 2016, and potentially beyond.  The outfield trio of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, and Carlos Beltran has had mixed results in 2015, but all three are under contract for 2016.

As Beltran’s contract comes off the books after the 2016 season, the Yankees top prospect, Aaron Judge, will likely be ready to join the big league club.  Signing Heyward would improve the Yankees outfield, but a trade would likely have to happen as the team already has three starting outfielders.

With Judge also on the cusp, it is likely that the team would have to part with Ellsbury or Gardner to sign Heyward, as the same problem would present itself in 2017 if it were Beltran who was traded.  Heyward is a great player, but the Yankees should focus on improving their starting rotation, and finding a second baseman.

What do you think Yankees fans?  Should the Yankees target Heyward?  Let us know in the comments below.

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