Breaking: 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 reportedly signed a contract with the San Diego Padres, according to The Athletic.

Heyward seems to be part of San Diego’s strategy to strengthen its outfield depth, as the team also recently reached an agreement with Connor Joe.

Once the deals become official, Heyward and Joe will likely compete for a starting or platoon role alongside Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill. The Padres’ outfield depth chart also includes Brandon Lockridge and Tirso Ornelas.

At 35, Heyward remains a strong defender, but he is now primarily a left-handed platoon outfielder who can also serve as a designated hitter or late-inning defensive replacement.

He joined Houston in late August after being released by the Dodgers due to a decline in production. The Astros, in need of outfield depth, got a small offensive boost from him as he posted a .218/.283/.473 slash line with four home runs and nine RBIs in 24 games, helping them secure the AL West title.

However, the Astros showed no interest in re-signing Heyward after the season.

A 15-year MLB veteran, Heyward debuted with Atlanta in 2010, earning an All-Star selection and finishing as the Rookie of the Year runner-up. He is also a five-time Gold Glove winner, though his last award came in 2017.

Before the 2016 season, Heyward signed an eight-year, $184 million contract with the Cubs. During his seven seasons in Chicago, he slashed .245/.323/.377 with 62 home runs and 289 RBIs while winning two Gold Gloves. He also played a key role in the Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series run, helping the team break its championship drought.

After the 2022 season, Heyward joined the Dodgers, experiencing mixed results over two seasons in Los Angeles.

In 2023, he saw regular playing time, primarily in right field, and posted a .269/.340/.473 slash line with 15 home runs and 40 RBIs. It was his most productive power-hitting season since 2019, when he hit 21 homers and drove in 62 runs.

However, last season proved more challenging. He slashed .208/.289/.393 with six home runs and 28 RBIs in 63 games, eventually losing playing time. The Dodgers designated him for assignment and later released him.

Meanwhile, Houston has plenty of outfield options on its 40-man roster, most recently adding Ben Gamel on a one-year contract.