Ben Zobrist decision could come soon; Mets, Nats and Giants in mix
Reports are indicating that free agent Ben Zobrist will make a decision on where he will sign within the next 48 hours. The teams that seem to be the most interested in signing the 34-year-old super utility player are the New York Mets, Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants and possibly the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It sounds as if it’s really between the Mets and Nationals at this point. Zobrist has already visited with the Mets and is expected to meet with Nationals’ executives during the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn. this week.
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The Mets make the most sense for Zobrist as he would help replace the loss of Daniel Murphy at second base, and help fill a void in the lineup with Yoenis Céspedes gone.
Zobrist has been the model for constancy over the past five seasons posting a batting average between .269 and .276 every year. Over the past seven seasons he’s averaged 149 games played a year, and he’s put up double-digit home runs in all of those seasons as well. His career on-base-percentage is .355, and he hasn’t struck out more than 100 times in any of the past three seasons, which today makes you a good contact hitter.
The risk with signing Zobrist is that he’ll turn 35 during the 2016 season and he’s likely seeking a four-year deal. It sounds as if the Mets are willing to go four years, but it’s possible other teams are at that four-year threshold as well.
Zobrist was instrumental in helping the Royals win the World Series this year as he hit .303 throughout the playoffs, while getting on base 37 percent of the time. The Mets desperately needs that kind of veteran bat in their lineup as they look to get back to the World Series and win. Zobrist could also fill a whole at second base for the Nationals, who would then probably look to move Yunel Escobar. The Giants would most likely use Zobrist in the outfield, but it sounds as if he prefers to play second.
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Whoever gets Zobrist will be getting a veteran player who is willing and capable of playing all over the field, while putting up good numbers offensively to help solidify a lineup. Once Zobrist makes his decision it should open the gates for other position players on the market.