After the Rays signed Asdrubal Cabrera to a one-year deal on Tuesday, second baseman Ben Zobrist just became a hot trade commodity, one the New York Mets could use.
If there was any year for the Mets to make a bigger splash in 2015 than they already have after signing Michael Cuddyer in November, it would be going after, none other than, Ben Zobrist.
Who is Ben Zobrist and why should the Mets go after him?
Well, first and foremost, let’s begin with this little disclaimer: Zobrist’s numbers won’t impress you, or anyone for that matter. He’s has a career slash line of .264/.354/.429 with 114 home runs and 511 career RBI’s, all in a nine year career with Tampa Bay. He’s a two-time all-star who is also just a .212 hitter in 21 postseason games with a pair of homers.
The last two years, Zobrist his .275 and .272 with a .354 OBP in both years with a combined 22 home runs and 123 RBI. Although he wasn’t overpowering at the plate, he still drew 72 and 75 walks in the last two years, drew over 70 walks throughout the last six years and over 90 in three of those years, ranking in the top 10 in walks in four of the last five years.
So it seems like the Mets, should they pursue Zobrist, would be getting someone slightly average at second, right? That is where the basic stats go to the side.
While Zobrist doesn’t seem like a major upgrade and doesn’t seem like a major name in the trade market like Troy Tulowitzki does, Zobrist fills a major need for the New York Metropolitans: a solid glove and versatility.
Zobrist, who can play second, shortstop and right field, had a total of 18 Defensive Runs Saved throughout the last three years. Although he’s struggled at shortstop at his first go at it, he’s played about half a season at short throughout the last three seasons, has a total of three defensive runs saved and has become accustomed to turning double plays.
However, statistically, Zobrist is better off playing second base and right field, recording a fielding percentage over .985 in his career.
Zobrist is seen as one of the more productive, underrated players in the league, recording a career 36.6 WAR, including a 24.2 WAR since 2011, the fourth-highest total in the American League behind Mike Trout (29.1), Miguel Cabrera (26.5) and Robinson Cano (24.3).
Zobrist hit better than all three Mets shortstops Wilmer Flores (.251), Ruben Tejada (.237) and Omar Quintanilla (.207) in 2014 and would be solid upgrade at that position.
If the Rays potential netting of Asdrubal Cabrera makes Ben Zobrist expendable, I'd think Sandy Alderson might want to make a phone call ...
— Mark Simon (@MarkASimonSays) December 30, 2014
While Zobrist is on the older side, turning 34 in May, he is more than affordable for the Mets, let alone anyone in the league to acquire by trade. He’s on a one-year deal worth $7.5 million, something the Mets can definitely handle. Although Zobrist is being shopped around on the high at the moment, both the Mets and Rays can benefit from a Zobrist deal: the Mets get a solid player while the Rays can get needed prospects.
The Mets have the proper farm system depth to make a deal for a veteran player, especially to a Rays team that has next to nothing in its farm – advantage Mets.
General Manager Sandy Alderson needs to start making some moves in the same aspect his predecessor in Oakland Billy Beane has. In a year where the New York baseball world could shift its focus onto Flushing, Queens rather than the Bronx, bringing in a player like Zobrist would be perfect.
Now the Mets just have to hope that Tampa Bay make him available.
All statistics courtesy baseball-reference.com.