Report: Cubs Among Four Teams “Seriously” Pursuing Ben Zobrist

ben zobrist raysSometimes, there are things about which you don’t mind being wrong.

Over the past couple weeks, Ben Zobrist has emerged as a prominent trade candidate for the Rays, particularly after they agreed to a deal with infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. Zobrist, 33, will be a free agent after making $7.5 million in 2015, making him an obvious trade option for the retooling Rays. And, given his plus bat and defensive versatility, Zobrist is an equally obvious trade option for most teams.

Thus, when he was first connected to the Cubs last week, among many, many other teams, my response was essentially: well, yeah, Zobrist makes sense for the Cubs and I’d love to see them pick him up … but he makes even more sense for a handful of other teams who will thus be willing to pay more for him. Teams that could use him at a higher-order defensive position, and teams that are more clearly going all out in 2015. I didn’t think the Cubs would ever emerge as a serious suitor.

But, maybe I’m wrong. And that’s OK.

Nick Cafardo reports this morning that Zobrist is being “pursued seriously by the Giants, Nationals, Angels, and Cubs.” The first three teams have been commonly-speculated top spots for Zobrist (with the Giants rumored to be involved in talks, and the middle two needing him at second base). The Cubs hadn’t been so specifically mentioned before, so this is pretty notable.

On the Cubs, Zobrist’s role would probably mirror what he’d been for Joe Maddon with the Rays*: he’d play wherever the Cubs needed him. His above-average bat would merit starting just about every day, and it’s not too hard to see where he could pick up starts (a lot in left, making Chris Coghlan and Chris Denorfia excellent 4/5 outfielders; spelling Jorge Soler (hamstrings, youth) in right against tough righties; spelling Arismendy Alcantara and Javier Baez (youth); backing up Starlin Castro at short and Luis Valbuena at third; backing up Anthony Rizzo at first).

Do I think Zobrist still has more value to a team like the Nationals or Angels, where he’d slide in as the everyday second baseman on a clear playoff contender? Yes, I do. But that was never to say he wouldn’t have solid value on the Cubs (with the added benefit of potentially making him a qualifying offer after the season and picking up a draft pick (replacing the one the Cubs might lose by signing a qualified free agent next year (but we’re getting down the rabbit hole a bit))).

How about the price, though? As a one-year guy, Zobrist won’t net the Rays a ton, but he’s uniquely valuable, has a small salary, and is one of the few quality bats left out there. I think you could expect at least one very good prospect, and another quality second piece (which is, incidentally, what Cafardo reports is the Rays’ asking price). On the Cubs, that might be the Rays wanting someone in the 6 to 10 range in their system, and another guy in the 10 to 15 range. Would the Cubs part with that much for one year of Zobrist? I have my doubts. Should they? Well, again, I have my reservations, but, as a general matter, I want to remind folks: good organizations stockpile prospects for two reasons. First, so they can help you at the big league level, and second, so they can be used as assets in trade to help the big league club. Don’t forget about that second one. The Cubs’ farm system is absolutely loaded, and not all of the youngsters are going to reach the big leagues (and the Cubs couldn’t accommodate them all even if they did).

If I had to guess, the Rays will ultimately get a little less than that for Zobrist – assuming they trade him – and I could see that kind of deal making sense for the Cubs, among many other teams.

But if Cafardo’s report is accurate, this is suddenly something to watch very closely.

*(It’s probably worth noting that, since they’ve had such an effective working relationship, it’s possible that Zobrist is incrementally more valuable to teams managed by Joe Maddon, because maybe he knows the absolute best ways to use a guy like Zobrist.)

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

Kinda Sounds Like Craig Counsell May Have a Set Top Three in the Batting Order

New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said, generally, his batting order philosophy is the very simplistic (and very correct): just get your best hitters the most at bats. Sure, there's some play in that to set up good match-ups,...

Los Angeles Dodgers Signing Will Smith to a TEN-YEAR Extension

The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. And by it, I mean they have signed a funkily-structured contract that is going to leave some folks annoyed. The Dodgers are extending catcher Will Smith on a DECADE-long deal with a...

Latest News

Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

Rangers vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Texas Rangers (0-0) and the Chicago Cubs (0-0) square off on Thursday at Globe Life Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 7:35 PM ET.The Rangers will call on Nathan Eovaldi against the Cubs and Justin Steele.Rangers vs....

Best NBA Prop Bets Today – March 28, 2024

The Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks take the court for one of two exciting matchups on the NBA slate today.Looking for NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article includes NBA player props for every matchup, so take...

UNC vs Alabama Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

We have a great matchup in the Sweet 16 between (1) North Carolina and (4) Alabama. Let's break down the odds, ATS records, and more for UNC vs Alabama as March Madness continues. Read More: Today's schedule and upset picks...

Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

Who Is In The Sweet 16? Updated Bracket, Odds to Win, and More

It has been a great March Madness so far and we have more great matchups in the Sweet 16. Check out what teams are in the Sweet 16, odds, and more as the college basketball season rolls on. Latest March...

Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

more cubs news