Los Angeles Dodgers could pursue Ben Zobrist
Ben Zobrist doesn’t appear likely to hit the free agent market following the conclusion of the World Series, but the versatile and valuable utility player may find himself on the move this offseason anyway. The Los Angeles Dodgers, now run by Zobrist’s former GM Andrew Friedman, may prove to be an aggressive suitor for his services.
The Tampa Bay Rays hold an option for 2015 on Zobrist, valued at $7.5 million. The 33 year old would be a free agent at year’s end, however, and with the Rays’ limited budgetary resources a contract extension would appear – at least for now – like an unlikely outcome. The Rays could look to deal him – restocking their lineup/system with younger, more cost-controllable assets – and he’d certainly bring back more value now than he would months from now if they wait for the July trade deadline.
Zobrist hit .272/.354/.395 this past season in 654 plate appearances. It marked the sixth straight season in which he’s hit 10+ home runs, stolen 10+ bases, and walked 70+ times. He’s been a model of consistency, tallying 4.6+ bWAR for six years running, while spending time all across the diamond. He’d be an ideal addition to any organization.
As the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo wrote on Sunday, the Rays could actively shop him this winter and the Dodgers would appear likely to be involved.
Look for Zobrist to get a lot of play this offseason. The Rays could move him to create salary relief and don’t bet against Friedman having some interest in a player he can move around the infield and outfield. The Dodgers could use good chemistry and Zobrist has it.
The Dodgers will be faced with their own questions this winter. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez is a free agent and the team will need to decide how big of a contract they are willing to offer should they hope to retain him. Third baseman Juan Uribe also will be entering the final year of his deal. There are no obvious candidates to step in at either position should one or both depart via free agency, as top prospect Corey Seager is not yet MLB-ready.
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Los Angeles is also faced with the reality that their outfield situation continues to be further compounded. The team already spent this past season juggling four players across three positions – working to get Matt Kemp, Andre Eithier, Yasiel Puig, and Carl Crawford into the lineup. Mix in the emergence of Scott Van Slyke and the arrival of Joc Pederson and that already complex situation becomes even murkier.
It’s unlikely that the team can resolve two problems in one move here – dealing an outfielder to the Rays for Zobrist. Should Tampa Bay move Zobrist to create room in their budget they won’t have interest in taking on a more erroneous contract and it’s unlikely that Friedman’s first move will be to deal away one of the organization’s top prospects in Pederson.