While the Cubs keep their eye on the pitching market as they mull a buyer’s approach for the trade deadline, one of their biggest targets heading into June is play-anywhere hitter Ben Zobrist of the Oakland Athletics, according to multiple sources.We start the trade rumor game in earnest.
Zobrist has a connection with Maddon. Check.
The Cubs have traded with Oakland recently. Check.
Zobrist can play multiple positions. Double check.
Zobrist was the best player no one heard of prior to this season. He had a career 36.7 WAR for the Rays. The A's traded for Zobrist thinking he would be consistent. Zobrist, 33, hit .272/.354/.395 (116 OPS+) with 34 doubles, 10 home runs, 10 stolen bases and nearly as many walks (75) as strikeouts (84) in 2014. He played both second base and shortstop as well as all three outfield positions. Zobrist is both very versatile and very good defensively wherever he plays.
But this year, with only 20 GP, he is hitting .243, 1 HR 10 RBI and a negative 0.4 WAR.
Zobrist is owed $7.5 million for 2015, the last year in his current deal. He is then classified as a rental player. As such, the Mets are also rumored to like Zobrist as a bench player.
The Cubs could be sniffing around to get a veteran bench player on the cheap. But there is something odd about Zobrist's sudden decline in production that warrants a second look. And obtaining Zobrist at what cost? A couple of AAA players (when the Cubs high level prospects are now thin)? Addison Russell? (Just kidding - - - but Billy Beane is still smarting over the last deal he made with the Cubs.)
At this point, Zobrist appears not to add much to the Cubs roster, which continues to be pitching staff heavy due to bullpen issues.
