Ben Zobrist: Five potential free agency destinations
By Tim Haberin
New York Yankees
Jun 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; General view of a New York Yankees cap in the dugout during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It feels a bit cheap to throw the Yankees’ name into speculation about any major free agent, but in many ways Zobrist feels like an ideal fit for them. The Yankees roster needs reinforcements in a variety of areas around the field, and Zobrist’s super-utility credentials would help considerably in that regard.
Second base is a big question mark at present, with Dustin Ackley and young Rob Refsnyder looking like the main candidates to split time there. 38-year-old Carlos Beltran can’t play 162 games in right field. With Alex Rodriguez exclusively a DH, Chase Headley could use some backup at the hot corner. Injury-prone players like Mark Teixeira and Jacoby Ellsbury are decent bets to miss some time. The multi-purpose Zobrist would be a good option to have in any contingency.
The Yanks were interested in Zobrist at the trade deadline but balked at Oakland’s asking price of Refsnyder and Adam Warren. Now he would only cost them money. The Bronx Bombers have been rather difficult to read in recent years concerning their willingness to spend on free agents, but the shorter-term commitment Zobrist would represent could be to their liking.
Next: Team #3