The Houston Astros Should Trade For Jason Heyward

The Houston Astros Should Trade For Jason Heyward

It seems we have been writing articles about how the Houston Astros can improve the team and contend in the near future, which is awesome. It is a nice change besides covering the MLB Draft and how we can trade our own players for prospects. The Astros are in a position with the minor league depth where they can make a trade for an established major league player and not severely damage the minor league system.

This is where Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves outfielder, comes into play. Heyward is a young outfielder with still a few years before his “prime”. Let’s take a look at just who Jason Heyward is.

Jason Heyward, RF, (DOB: 08/09/89)

Heyward was drafted in the 1st round, 14th overall, by the Atlanta Braves in the 2007 MLB draft. Heyward went into the Braves minor league system and was immediately a top prospect for their organization. After only appearing in 12 games the season he was drafted, Baseball America rated him the #28 prospect in all of baseball.

During the 2008 season, Heyward split time between A and A+ showing off his many tools, which led to Baseball America ranking him the #5 prospect heading into 2009. After a strong year in 2009, Heyward earned the starting job as the right fielder for the 2010 Braves as a 20-year old.

Sep 3, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward (22) makes a leaping catch at the wall in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

He put together a phenomenal season hitting .277 with 29 2B, 18 HR, 72 RBI, 91 BB and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting to Buster Posey (I hear he is no slouch). Heyward had a down 2011 but followed that up with a nice 2012. Fast forward two more seasons and Heyward has a career batting average of .262 with 30 2B, 20 HR, 69 RBI per 162 games in his career while compiling over 24 WAR.

What really separates him from the rest of the outfielders is his elite defense in right field. Heyward has posted a positive dWAR every season and already has two gold gloves under his belt. This past season he had a UZR rating of 24.1 according to fangraphs. Fangraphs also has a table which states +5 is good, +10 is great, and +15 is gold glove caliber. As you can tell, Heyward is way above this level.

Heyward also can steal some bags (64 in his career), with 20 of them coming in his last season. Heyward is a good all around player that the Astros could build around.

Why Would The Braves Trade Heyward?

After reading about Heyward, one might wonder why the Braves would even consider trading someone like him. Well there are actually a few reasons. Mark Bowman, of MLB.com, wrote an article about how the Braves could look to rebuild and trade Heyward. Here are some reasons:

1. Within the last couple years the Braves have signed Andrelton Simmons, Freddie Freeman, Craig Kimbrel, and Julio Teheran to big contracts which makes up a good chunk of money.

2. Evan Gattis is coming up for a contract and some feel he may have a better chance of providing the Braves with offense. Bowman notes that trading Heyward would open up a spot for Gattis to become a full time outfielder.

3. The last deal Heyward signed was a 2-year, $13.3 million extension which covered his arbitration years. The Braves did offer him a longer contract extension, well below Freeman’s, which he did not sign.

4. Justin Upton becomes a free agent the same year as Heyward and it would be very tough to sign both. It is possible they decide to sign Upton and trade Heyward as he may bring more in return to a depleted organization.

5. Last, Bowman notes that trading Heyward could bring in young talent that could make the team competitive in 2017 when they enter their new stadium.

The Possible Trade Scenario

Before thinking about possible trade scenarios I decided to go back and find a trade that could be comparable to a Heyward trade. The trade I found that could resemble a Heyward trade was the Athletics acquisition of Matt Holliday at the end of 2008. Holliday was an elite hitter for Colorado who also signed an extension through his arbitration years like Heyward. The Rockies attempted to sign him long term but decided to trade him after they could not agree on an extension. While Holliday wasn’t the fielder of Heyward, he proved he could hit at the big league level after three straight silver slugger awards and finishing 2nd in MVP voting in 2007.

Matt Holliday was traded to the Athletics for a package of Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street, and Greg Smith. Gonzalez was the real prize of the package ranked as the #22 prospect going into 2008. Street was a young closer coming off a season where he had a 3.73 ERA. Smith pitched for the Athletics in 2008 compiling a 7-16 record with a 4.16 ERA and a 4.82 FIP. So I look at this as the Athletics receiving a highly touted outfield prospect, young major league ready closer and a serviceable starter with very bad peripherals. With that said here is what I think it may take to land Heyward.

Astros Receive:

Jason Heyward, OF

Braves Receive:

Brett Oberholtzer, LHP; Domingo Santana, OF; Michael Foltynewicz, RHP; Michael Feliz, RHP; PTBNL (J.D. Davis, 3B)

The Braves receive a major league ready starting pitching in Brett Oberholzter who has posted a 3.85 ERA in 34 career starts. This could help cover the possible loss of Ervin Santana in free agency. In Domingo Santana the Braves receive a near ready major league ready outfielder and one ranked as the #50 prospect by MLB.com.

The Braves will also receive a young flame throwing pitcher in Foltynewicz who could either help the bullpen or possibly become a starter down the line and another young pitcher in Feliz. To sweeten the pot the Astros also include recent draftee, J.D. Davis, which we can get away with thanks to our depth at third base in the minor league season.