Does Jason Heyward make sense for Nationals? (deals for Kelley, Perez official)

Could the Nationals land the top free agent for the second straight year? Last January, it was ace Max Scherzer, and now the Nats are hot on the heels of free agent outfielder Jason Heyward, ranked the best among position players on many free agent boards.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com was first to report the Nationals diving deep into the Heyward sweepstakes and also adds that Heyward already has a $200 million offer from one team. The Cubs and Cardinals, Heyward's 2015 club, are also reportedly chasing hard.

The Nationals have options with Heyward, who is considered one of the game's best defensive outfielders after winning the Gold Glove in right field three of the past four years. Bryce Harper, who Heyward beat out for a Gold Glove last month, could stay in right or move to center. The same applies to Heyward, while Jayson Werth roams in left.

That potentially leaves Michael A. Taylor and his stellar defense but still-developing bat as the odd man out of the starting lineup, but first off of the bench.

At only 26, there is certainly a lot to like about signing Heyward to a long-term contract. The Braves' 2007 first-round pick finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2010 and was named to his first All-Star team. After five seasons in Atlanta, Heyward was traded to St. Louis, where he led the Cardinals to the NL Central crown last season after slashing .293/.359/.439 with 13 homers, 33 doubles, 23 stolen bases, 60 RBIs and 79 runs scored.

But Heyward isn't that masher in the middle of the lineup that many teams desire. He won't be that bash brother Harper is looking for to feed off of and gain protection from. Heyward's best power season came in 2012, when he smacked 27 homers with 82 RBIs and slugged .479. But Heyward hasn't reached the 20-homer mark in any of his other five years in the majors.

For his career, Heyward is a .268/.353/.431 hitter who projects to bat second or fifth in the lineup. Does that sound like a $200 million man? The arguments for the exorbitant contract come from his stellar defense, which helped raise his WAR to 6.5, fifth-best in the NL last season.

It's no secret the Nationals want to add a left-handed bat to their lineup. The lefty swinging Heyward slashed .301/.364/.470 with 11 homers against righties last year and .272/.344/.364 against left-handers. Diving deeper, Heyward hit .264 (34-for-129) with two homers and 40 RBIs with runners in scoring position.

The market seems to be waiting on Heyward, with other attractive free agent outfielders like Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes ready to land hefty paydays. But both of those players have driven in 100 runs and scored 100 runs multiple times in their career.

Heyward hasn't done either once.

Update: The Nationals this morning announced the deals for two relievers, right-hander Shawn Kelley and left-hander Oliver Perez.

Kelley gets a three-year pact worth between $15-$16 million, while Perez will receive a two-year, $7 million deal.

Still waiting for official word on the one-year deal for right-hander Yusmeiro Petit.

Between the signings of Kelley and Perez, the trade with the Angels for right-hander Trevor Gott and the expected deal with Petit, the Nationals have made significant headway in their bullpen reconstruction. Now they just have to figure out what to do with right-handers Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon.

Update II: Multiple reports indicate that Heyward will sign with the Cubs for six years and $190 million. The Nationals reportedly made an offer of $200 million for his services, according to Heyman.

Update III: Heyman tweeted that Heyward is going to the Cubs.