The Kansas City Royals got one heck of a bargain before the 2015 MLB Trade Deadline when they landed utility man extraordinaire Ben Zobrist via a deal with the Oakland Athletics.
Zobrist was viewed by many to be the final interlocking piece for the team's championship run, giving manager Ned Yost a flexible lineup/defensive option to both give others rest and to slot in anywhere in the lineup as a consistent on-base threat.
In fact, the fit worked so well for both sides that the nine-year veteran is eyeing a return to the team in free agency -- that is, as long as he fits into their plans after the Royals make a play at retaining Alex Gordon following his declined option.
Via Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com:
Ben Zobrist tells me: “Gordo is their top priority and he should be. He is the face of the franchise. But we would love to come back, too."
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) November 5, 2015
Zobrist slashed .276/.359/.450 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI during the 2015 regular season. He added four home runs and nine RBI during the team's 16-game run to a World Series championship.
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Projecting his impressive playoff #s out over a 162-game stretch, Zobrist produced at a 40-HR, 91-RBI clip.
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