Jason Heyward Heightens Cubs-Cardinals Rivalry With “Aging Veterans” Comment

Star outfielder Jason Heyward recently left the St. Louis Cardinals to pursue his new team in the Chicago Cubs, signing a massive contract with the team worth eight years and $184 million last week. After doing this, Heyward stated that he had turned down contracts from other teams, especially his old team in the Cardinals who reportedly offered him close to $200 million.

A big reason why he chose the Cubs over the Cardinals is that he stated that his old team was filled with old veterans who are well over age 30 and have dealt with numerous injuries over the past few years. “I felt like if I were to look up in three years and see it’s a completely different team, that would be kind of be different for me,” Heyward said. He went on to site star veterans Yadier Molina, Matt Holliday, and Adam Wainwright as examples of a Cardinal team who is aging.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny had some strong words for Heyward’s comments, defending his roster yet having still having respect for Heyward. “I don’t think we have anything to apologize for in having a group like a Holliday, a Molina, a Wainwright,” Matheny said, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “Those are the kinds of guys everybody wants on a club. I don’t blame him. But I don’t like it.” Matheny added.

Heyward joins a Cubs team that is fllled with young talent that includes Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo, and Jake Arrieta while having veterans like Jon Lester and John Lackey. Heyward currently has a career stat line of .268 BA, 804 hits, 352 RBIs, and 97 home runs.

Photo: CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 12: Jason Heyward #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs during game three of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field on October 12, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)