Immediately after the news today that Russell Martin signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Atlanta Braves announced a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Braves sent OF Jason Heyward and RHP Jordan Walden to the Cardinals in exchange for RHP Shelby Miller and RHP Tyrell Jenkins.
Heyward should be a big boost for an already strong Cardinals team. He put up a 5.1 WAR in 2014, and has averaged just under a 5 WAR over the last three seasons. He’s under control for one more year at $7.8 M in 2015, which means this upgrade is only short-lived. However, it will provide a boost the Cardinals need on offense. Last year they ranked 6th in the NL in wRC+ and 7th in wOBA.
Last year the Cardinals traded Allen Craig to the Red Sox in a deal for John Lackey. That opened up a hole in right field, which remained vacant after the tragic death of top prospect Oscar Taveras. Heyward gives the Cardinals a 2015 outfield that also includes Matt Holliday and a platoon of Peter Bourjos and Jon Jay.