Dodgers emerge as ‘mystery team’ in Ben Zobrist sweepstakes

The Dodgers appear to be i the Ben Zobrist sweepstakes.

The market for utility man extraordinaire Ben Zobrist has been wide-spanning and constantly changing. While the New York Mets have been at the forefront of the push for his services, having even taken him on a tour of New York and its surrounding area’s housing market during a visit last between the two parties, there has also been no shortage of other teams pursuing his services as well.

So it was to be expected that his name would be one of the most widely discussed as Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings begin in Nashville on Monday morning. And as the sun rises on the opening day, the Los Angeles Dodgers can now be named as in obtaining the 34-year-old’s services as well.

Along with the Mets, the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals are also said the have serious interest in obtaining Zobrist this week, whom has previously said he would like to make a decision on a new contract by December 10th.

A fourth “mystery team” was said to be a part of the race as well on Sunday evening, which has now emerged as LA.

The entry of the Dodgers into the chase is a curious one, especially since they reached an agreement with second baseman Chase Utley on Sunday as well. However, with Zobrist’s varied skill set and team president Andrew Friedman’s familiarity with him from their days together in Tampa, it is no surprise that they are at least expressing some interest in him.

Zobrist, who will seemingly easily find the four-year contract that he insisted upon this offseason, could stand to benefit greatly from the Dodgers’ involvement, as if they are serious about making a competitive push for his services, could drive his price up even further than current $60 million tag that it is said to carry.

Zobrist is scheduled thus far to meet with the Mets and Nationals while visiting the meetings in Nashville, where he makes his offseason home. The Dodgers will now likely also have a sit down with him as well, as they continue their flurry of movements as the meetings get under way.

The Dodgers have kicked off the Winter Meetings as the busiest team in town, agreeing to terms with both Utley and pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma yesterday. Rumors of serious negotiations to acquire Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds also surfaced yesterday as well. This flurry of activity hits on the other side of a weekend where LA lost out on pitcher Zack Greinke to the Arizona Diamondbacks.