Braves Sign Jason Heyward To Two-Year Deal per MLB TradeRumors

[tmizerek]

Braves Sign Jason Heyward To Two-Year Deal
By Steve Adams [February 4 at 10:00am CST]

The Braves have issued a press release to announce the signing of right fielder Jason Heyward to a two-year contract. The contract, which covers the 2014-15 seasons, prevents Heyward and the Braves from going to an arbitration hearing. Heyward is a client of Excel Sports Management.

[The Chosen One]

Temporary good news. I guess those who criticized Frank Wren for not giving Hey the extra 300k or whatever it was he was asking for can give him a compliment for getting this done.

[tfbrave77]

Jon Heyman says 2 yrs/13.3M

Edit:
Same number reported on 680theFan

[zbhargrove]

Good news for the Bravos! Now let's hope Jason takes another step forward this year in full health and they work out a bigger extension.

[nsacpi]

Around 8M for 2015. Good value for the club and some security for Jason. Too bad it doesn't include another year.

[JohnAdcox]

Around 8M for 2015. Good value for the club and some security for Jason. Too bad it doesn't include another year.

Or several more years. But seriously, I am delighted. Nicely done. I hope a couple of other guys are next.

[mossy]

I like it. Was getting worried Jason wouldn't want to work with the FO at all.

Next up, Freddie...

[Enscheff]

Temporary good news. I guess those who criticized Frank Wren for not giving Hey the extra 300k or whatever it was he was asking for can give him a compliment for getting this done.

Compliment Wren for signing Heyward through the 2 years he was already under team control for about what he would have made in arbitration? Now the Braves have taken on all the risk with a guaranteed contract and gotten nothing in return.

Why, exactly, does this deserve commendation?

[zbhargrove]

Compliment Wren for signing Heyward through the 2 years he was already under team control for about what he would have made in arbitration? Now the Braves have taken on all the risk with a guaranteed contract and gotten nothing in return.

Why, exactly, does this deserve commendation?

Because arbitration causes conflict in many cases. This tells Heyward the Braves want him here and want to work with him. This also tells us that Heyward will work with the Braves... its a very good thing.

[Tapate50]

Joel Sherman ‏@Joelsherman1 1h

#Braves were approached after arb exchange by Heyward reps about doing multi yrs. Issue made tougher because Heyward’s injuries skew stats, but sides were able to bridge and buy out rest of his arbitration period. #Braves

Meh, if he has a great/MVP year and stays healthy, maybe he'll get paid longterm, seems unlikely though.

Well they don't really skew them. Sounds like Heyward didn't like the real numbers he put up to base the offer on....

[nsacpi]

Well they don't really skew them. Sounds like Heyward didn't like the real numbers he put up to base the offer on....

I think that's right. If he had put consecutive seasons like his 2012 season, they would have probably reached a deal.

[Heyward]

Well they don't really skew them. Sounds like Heyward didn't like the real numbers he put up to base the offer on....

Last year was kinda fluky from an injury standpoint, got hit in the face with a baseball for christ sakes.

That being said, i'd still offer him 10/200 right now.

[cajunrevenge]

Sure would be nice if Heyward put together the kind of year we all know he could produce. No more of this hitting under .200 for long periods of time ****.

[Tapate50]

Last year was kinda fluky from an injury standpoint, got hit in the face with a baseball for christ sakes.

That being said, i'd still offer him 10/200 right now.

Yeah, but what was the excuse before that? He was awful for almost half the year.

[BremanFan88]

Yeah, but what was the excuse before that? He was awful for almost half the year.

An extremely low BABip. "Awful" is harsh when you see his walks were up, k's were down and defense was golden. Of course if you are someone that doesn't think that means anything then we should lock up Chris Johnson quick.

[KB21]

An extremely low BABip. "Awful" is harsh when you see his walks were up, k's were down and defense was golden. Of course if you are someone that doesn't think that means anything then we should lock up Chris Johnson quick.

I think that had he not missed about 210 plate appearances on the year, we are likely looking at a 5+ WAR season from Heyward. The biggest difference between 2012 and 2013, aside from the injury, is that Heyward posted a low BABIP that is likely unsustainable for him and will likely rebound this year. He also had a career ISO in 2012, whereas his ISO from '13 was more in line with the rest of his career.

[Julio3000]

Kid's gonna make this one a bargain. I hope this signifies a willingness to work long-term.

[thewupk]

Kid's gonna make this one a bargain. I hope this signifies a willingness to work long-term.

Unless he were to have an MVP type season (which is certainly possible) this deal is about what he would earn anyways just going to arby this year and next. It's pretty fair. But I do see this a willingness to work on a long term deal.

I think both the Braves and Heyward are just playing out the waiting game. Will Heyward become the player most see him as or will he be what he has been so far in his career. That will be a major factor in what he gets once he becomes a free agent. Personally I see the Braves extending him after 2015 season but before he can talk to other teams.

[Heyward]

Yeah, but what was the excuse before that? He was awful for almost half the year.

Awful is a bit ridiculous.

He's still young, so im not sure why you were expecting him to win MVP.

He's still an elite defender, great base runner, yes at times he goes in funks, what player in baseball doesnt?

[Tapate50]

Awful is a bit ridiculous.

He's still young, so im not sure why you were expecting him to win MVP.

He's still an elite defender, great base runner, yes at times he goes in funks, what player in baseball doesnt?

It wasn't "good". I certainly didn't say MVP , exaggerate much?