Heyward prepared for boos in St. Louis return

Jason Heyward's return to St. Louis may not be a pretty one, but the 26-year-old is prepared for anything that may come his way.

"If somebody boos me here, that means they weren't happy to see me leave. he told reporters Monday prior to the Cardinals hosting Heyward's Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. "I'm glad people weren't happy to see me leave."

The outfielder, who signed an eight-year, $184-million contract with Chicago - while spurning the Cardinals - will make his first appearance in St. Louis since becoming a member of the Cubs.

Despite earning a Gold Glove and helping the Cardinals win 100 games last season, Heyward may not receive the warmest of welcomes upon his return after he agitated skipper Mike Matheny in December, citing the age of his former club as one of the reasons for his departure.

"St. Louis is always going to be a great organization and I don't think anyone would ever be surprised if they win a World Series any year," Heyward said after finalizing his long-term deal. "I know I keep hitting on this but being 26 years old and knowing that my contract would probably put me in any clubhouse for longer than most people there, you have to look at age, how fast the team is changing and how soon those changes may come about."

Heyward touched on that point once again Monday, although his comments were different from what he said in December.

"I felt like Chicago will give me a great opportunity to be with these guys for the majority of my contract," he said after explaining the comment about the age of the Cardinals was blown out of proportion.

Heyward, a former All-Star, hit .293/.359/.439 with 13 home runs and 60 RBIs, while producing a producing six WAR last season, but has gotten off to a rough start in 2016, slashing just .205 with a .564 OPS.