Hot Stove: If not Jason Heyward then who?

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Aug 16, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) celebrates with St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Randal Grichuk (15) after hitting a two-run home run against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

I really hope this is the most irrelevant post I write all offseason. Jason Heyward had a really good season, and that man is going to get paid by somebody. It could be the Cardinals and I hope it’s the Cardinals, but according to Bruce Levine we already know one other potential suitor. It’s the Cubs. That is not good to hear, I hope they don’t get involved in this, as they will drive the price up. Hopefully, Heyward prefers the slightly warmer weather, bigger ballpark, and whatever John Mozeliak offers him.

However, if he doesn’t the Cardinals will have a decision to make. That decision is, how will they go about replacing Jason Heyward? Will they get another outfielder to replace him? Will they move Piscotty to RF and sign a first baseman? Will they use the money to sign a starting pitcher? Let’s take a look here.

Next: Could the Cardinals trade Lance Lynn?

Sep 21, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Adam Lind (24) celebrates with Milwaukee Brewers center fielder

Logan Schafer

(7) after hitting a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Lind – 1B

The Cardinals tried to pry away the first basemen from the NL Central rival at the trade deadline, but were unsuccessful. There are two options here to get Lind. The Brewers could decline to pick up his $8 Million option and let him become a free agent and move in a younger player at his position. The Brewers could also pick up the option and look to trade him during the winter months.

Lind had a really good first season in Milwaukee finishing with .277/.360/.460 with 52 extra-base hits (32 doubles, 20 homers). He also drove in over 80 runs for just the third time in his career. Lind would be a really good player on this team and if Heyward does not sign, I would be mighty fine with the Cardinals kicking the tires on Lind.

Sep 3, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) pitches in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Samardzija – SP

“The Shark”, as he is affectionally called is an upcoming free agent, and if you are curious if he wants to stay in Chicago or not, just look at his abysmal numbers and the fire storm that is the Chicago White Sox organization right now. He had a really rough return to the city of Chicago this season, as he finished 11-13 with a 4.96 ERA. Samardzija for some reason kind of reminds me of a more refined Lance Lynn.

With the rough numbers, it’s hard to think that he will come at that large of a price. With Heyward out and one or both of Jaime Garcia and John Lackey not returning. He may not be a bad gamble. If he can return to the form he had on the Cubs last season, he may be a steal.

Oct 4, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) hits a two run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Davis – 1B

I know I know, I said this wasn’t happening earlier. But, let’s dream for a bit, shall we? Chris Davis is a long ball launching machine and imaging him and his .562 slugging percentage coming to town is quite salivating. Even more so is the 47 long balls he launched this season.

Let’s face it however, John Mozeliak is not likely paying what it will likely cost to bring Davis into the fold. If we are unable to sign Jason Heyward, we won’t be able to sniff the $ Davis is going to bring. However, a fan can dream can’t they?

Oct 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) singles against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning in game three of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Gordon – LF/1B

I know we have talked about this before, but I am not quite sure about this one here. Gordon has rarely played RF and that is probably for good reason. He plays a pretty good LF and would likely be pretty exposed in right. However, Gordon came up as a third baseman and has played some first base in his career.

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So, it is not out of the question to have him come up and play first base, this might be especially enticing given that he’s not getting any younger and that he suffered a leg injury this season that may limit his OF play in future.

Gordon had a solid season despite the injury and only playing 101 games. He finished with a slash of .271/.377/.432 chipping in 31 extra-base hits (18 doubles and 13 homers). The .377 OBP is really nice and was actually better than Heyward’s .359 (although less games factor in for Gordon), it would go well with Matt Carpenter‘s .365 OBP and the two could conceivably hit back to back in the lineup giving the Cardinals a good 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup. If he is willing to play first, I would give him a look.

Oct 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (24) makes a catch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in game four of the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Dexter Fowler – OF

Man, I really hope we aren’t at the point where Dexter is one of our options. However, Fowler isn’t that bad of an option. He has done decent this season in Chicago, with a .250/.346/.411 line, and a slightly disappointing OPS of .757. The most impressive statistic for Fowler is the 84 walks. The impressive patience would go nicely on a team where the strikeout became a problem at times.

However, Fowler has yet to play in a pitcher’s park like Busch Stadium for a long period of time, coming from Houston and having started his career in Colorado, and his home/road splits are unbecoming to him and whatever power potential he may have. Although the stolen base factor does come with Fowler like we have with Heyward, as Fowler has 114 stolen bases in his career. Not a bad replacement, just not who I would want to replace Heyward.

Like I said, I hope this is all for naught and that the Cardinals do what it takes to sign Jason Heyward. But, it is important to start thinking about who could potentially replace him. Who would you like to see replace Heyward, if the Cardinals are in fact unable to get Heyward back?

Next: St. Louis Cardinals Season Review: What now?

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