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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 players that could shape the trade market

By Kyle Franzoni

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Jun 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics infielder Ben Zobrist (18) scores a run against the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Angels 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics infielder Ben Zobrist (18) scores a run against the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Angels 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Ben Zobrist

  • Team: Oakland Athletics
  • Position: Utility-man
  • 2015 Stats: .243/.325/.434, 4 HR, 24 RBI

Don’t get lost in Ben Zobrist’s career-low batting average, the switch-hitter got off to a terrible start and missed about a month of time due to a knee injury. In his first 12 games back with the team, he struggled to find his rhythm and slashed a dreadful .158/.289/.289. However, since then things have been much more friendly, with Zobrist hitting .313/.377/.583 and has tallied 10 RBI in his last 13 games of action.

That means the utility-man is heating up and getting his bat going at exactly the right time to drive up his value on the trade market. Let’s face facts, every team can use a guy like Ben Zobrist; a player who carries a solid stick and can play well at multiple positions. That type of flexibility is important come playoff time when teams are battling injuries and looking to plug able bodies into both the line-up and all over the field.

Already there have been reports of the Yankees, Cubs, Nationals, and practically any team with a need in the outfield or middle infield inquiring about Zobrist. It isn’t a question of “if” he’ll get dealt, but “where” he goes. Billy Beane and the Athletics didn’t acquire him for a compensation pick. They picked up Zobrist knowing how much value he’d have at the deadline. Oakland gave up a solid prospect in Daniel Robertson to get him, and something tells me they’ll get more in return.

Of course, that all depends on whether he has any competition from…

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