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Top 5 potential landing spots for Jason Heyward

By Nathaniel Reeves

Aug 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) reacts after scoring a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) reacts after scoring a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Cubs

Sep 19, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the main gate at Wrigley Field before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the main gate at Wrigley Field before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cardinals may not want to hit the $200 million mark for Heyward, but a few other clubs will likely be willing to go there to add such a dynamic player. If Heyward leaves the Cardinals, division rival Chicago stands out as a possible landing spot.

Despite having a very young team, Chicago won 97 games this season and advanced to the NLCS by beating the mighty Cardinals in the first round of the postseason. The Cubs aren’t concerned about payroll and will likely be looking to add a top-flight free agent to push the team over the top.

Whether that marquee free agent is a front-line pitcher or position player remains to be seen.While either would obviously make the team better, Heyward has the chance to fill a weakness depending on how other things fall this offseason.

Chicago’s infield is set for a very long time, but there are questions in the outfield. Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler are poor defensive corner outfielders, while center fielder Dexter Fowler could depart as a free agent.

It would cause a bit of a logjam, but Heyward would help the situation a ton, particularly defensively. The Cubs would have to decide if they trust Schwarber as an everyday catcher, or possibly think about trading him to an AL team so he could DH.

The Cubs’ window is open for the next few years, and Heyward could be the missing piece for the franchise to capture the elusive World Series title.

Next: Seattle Mariners

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