MLB PLAYER NEWS

Cards make qualifying offers to Heyward, Lackey

The Sports Xchange

November 06, 2015 at 11:51 am.

Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) hits a grand slam home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) hits a grand slam home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals made qualifying offers to outfielder Jason Heyward and right-hander John Lackey on Friday.

Both free agents have the option of remaining with the Cardinals on a one-year, $15.8 million contract for 2016. No free agent has accepted a qualifying offer over the past three winters but if Heyward and Lackey decline and sign elsewhere, the Cardinals will receive draft picks as compensation.

Heyward, 26, led the Cardinals with a .293 batting average, while hitting 13 home runs with 60 RBIs. He posted career highs in hits (160), doubles (33) and a team-leading 23 stolen bases. He is a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove award among National League right fielders, after winning the award in 2012 and 2014.

Lackey, 37, tied his career-best with 33 starts in 2015 while posting a 13-10 record with a 2.77 ERA. The 13-year major league veteran ranked among National League pitching leaders in wins (13, tied for 12th), earned run average (2.77, seventh), innings pitched (218, sixth) and quality starts (26, fourth). Lackey started Games 1 and 4 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs, including 7 1/3 scoreless innings in the series opener for his eighth career postseason win.