Cardinals will try to re-sign Heyward

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals hope to re-sign outfielder Jason Heyward, who is due for free agency. Pitcher John Lackey, maybe not so much.

The 26-year-old Heyward batted .293 with 13 homers and 60 RBIs and was a plus defensively in right field.

Related: Heyward lauds 'ideal' fit with Cards

''Jason was a tremendous fit on this club,'' general manager John Mozeliak said Thursday. ''If we have the ability to make it happen, we're certainly going to try.''

If the Cardinals don't attempt to re-sign Lackey, Mozeliak said it won't be because it would block young pitchers in the organization such as Marco Gonzalez and 21-year-old prospect Alex Reyes. The team has an option on Jaime Garcia, a surprise success story coming off thoracic outlet surgery.

Lackey had a career-best 2.77 ERA and won the division series opener against Chicago. He is also 36 and was paid just $507,000 this season, a bargain.