Utility man extraordinaire Ben Zobrist is a hot commodity on the current free agency market, with upwards of 20 teams connected to him in various rumors and rumblings over the past few weeks.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal provided some clarity on Sunday surrounding the race to sign Zobrist, calling out the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and others by name as suitors:
Zobrist #Mets’ No. 1 target, sources say. #Nationals also in, along with #Braves, #SFGiants, others. #Royals not expected to offer same $$$.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 29, 2015
#Braves GM John Coppolella: “I can't comment on any free agent pursuits, but we will explore every possible opportunity to improve club…
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 29, 2015
“…in the short- and long-term. Ben Zobrist brings so much to the table on and off the field that he could help all 30 teams.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 29, 2015
The Mets have reportedly been positioning themselves for a run at Zobrist since the first days of the offseason, with preliminary talks already having taken place between the team and the veteran middle infielder/outfielder. Zobrist appears to be #1 on their shortlist at second base, with a Daniel Murphy reunion currently sitting on the back burner.
Atlanta is an interesting option, considering they are still in the early/middle stages of a full-scale rebuild. However, a versatile player like Zobrist would allow Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez to plug and play young options around the diamond while relying on the 34-year-old right-handed bat as a stalwart in the lineup.
As for Kansas City, don't underestimate their positioning in the Zobrist chase. While they won't put up the high-dollar figure in the neighborhood that the Mets are considering, Zobrist loved his time with the World Series champs and has already said that he'd like to return to the club.
Stay tuned.
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