Jason Heyward signs with Cubs

Free agent outfielder Jason Heyward has agreed to a contract with the Chicago Cubs, according to multiple reports.

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the deal is believed to be for eight years and worth less than $185 million.

Heyward is just 26, so an eight-year deal would be very reasonable when you consider that most of the game’s best players usually hit free agency at closer to age 30 and sign for the same length of time. He is a tremendous outfielder who hit a career-high .293 with the St. Louis Cardinals last season.

For a while, it appeared that Heyward might sign a deal worth $200 million or more. However, it could be that his camp was planting information about mystery teams like this one being involved in the bidding process. Heyward reportedly chose the Cubs over the Cardinals and Washington Nationals.