Despite coming off a rough finish to the 2021 season with the New York Yankees, Andrew Heaney drew free agency interest from upwards of 10 teams prior to signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year, $8.5 million contract.
Heaney believed joining the Dodgers would help him get back on track as a former first-round draft pick. The left-hander missed time because of shoulder trouble but, when on the mound, did manage to have the best success of his career behind a new pitch mix.
Heaney’s bounce-back campaign now potentially has him in a position to sign a multi-year contract in free agency, but like the best bets, nothing is certain.
According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, the Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams with an early interest in Heaney:
As the #BlueJays seek pitching, a name on their radar is LHP Andrew Heaney per source.
Jays pursued him aggressively last year, but he signed with Dodgers & posted elite 35.5% K rate (MLB avg: 22.1%) with 6.1% walk rate & 3.10 ERA in 72.2 IP (14 starts).
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) November 11, 2022
The New York Mets are also said to be interested in the 31-year-old as well, per Tim Healey of Newday.com:
Among those the Mets are interested in — in addition to Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker, their own free agents — is lefthander Andrew Heaney, sources said.
Heaney finished the season 4-4 with a 3.10 ERA, 3.75 FIP, and 1.09 WHIP over 16 games (14 starts). He was in the Dodgers starting rotation until making two relief appearances at the end of the year to begin preparing for the postseason.
Heaney allowed one run over three innings in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
Will Dodgers re-sign Andrew Heaney?
Up to this point, the Dodgers have not been publicly linked to Heaney in free agency. However, they require starting pitching even with reportedly agreeing to re-sign Clayton Kershaw for the 2023 season.
Tyler Anderson received the $19.65 million qualifying offer and figures to be a more likely candidate to remain with L.A. Heaney could factor into the picture for the Dodgers if Anderson signs with another team.
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