10:13pm: Zobrist’s priority is to play for a winning club, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, leaving the Braves “behind” in the race.
Meanwhile, Mets assistant GM John Ricco acknowledged today that the club has serious interest, as ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin reports. “We’ve had conversations with his guys,” said Ricco of Zobrist, “and we’ll definitely be meeting with them [at the Winter Meetings].” He added: “It’s pretty obvious we think he’s a fit.”
New York expects a decision to be made in the coming days, though it hasn’t apparently been given any such assurances by Zobrist’s camp. The club is “not sure … which direction [it] would go” if Zobrist heads elsewhere, Ricco said. He notes that the Mets haven’t ruled out Daniel Murphy and acknowledged that the team has “touched base” with “all of the free agents,” including middle infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, who Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reported (Twitter link) could be an option.
7:57pm: More than one team is willing to guarantee four seasons in a contract with free agent super-utilityman Ben Zobrist, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). The Mets are one such club, per the report, which indicates that there are others as well.
Other teams in the mix include the Mets, Nationals, Giants, and a “mystery team,” Heyman says. Earlier today, Marc Carig of Newsday reported (Twitter links) that six clubs remained involved with Zobrist to some extent.
Zobrist wrapped up his on-site visits with a trip to the Giants’ AT&T Park today, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes has learned. And the hotly-pursued veteran appears to be lined up for a decision in the coming days, as Carig adds.
But that doesn’t mean he’s done with meetings. Indeed, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney tweeted earlier today that Zobrist would meet with representatives of the Nationals at the Winter Meetings — which are being held in his home town of Nashville. And it stands to reason that he’ll have cause to chat with other organizations as well.
Bobby Evans said today they are looking for a power OF who can play CF. Seems like that would point to Cespedes. Not Zobrist
I might’ve missed it but when did he say that?
MLB Network Radio @MLBNetworkRadio 5h5 hours ago
Bobby Evans told us #Giants are looking to add an OF power bat that can play both corner or center field
Exactly what the Giants need–a good defensive CF who can really hit. Don’t know if that’s available via free agency. Maybe Cespedes or Hayward can field well enough for a year or two then move to LF, but the Giants rely on good team defense. Need a true defensive CF.
I’m wondering but will the Mets have enough offense?
Is Curtis / Lucas / David enough?
Mystery team has already gotten Greinke as ace, come on down Zobrist!
Is there anyone on the MLBTR team at the Winter Meetings this year? I know Ben went the last couple, was just wondering if someone made the trip.
They have 2 guys there this year, forget their names though.
I would guess Steve Adams is one of them. But cool, not only a great experience, can lead to great opportunities for their career.
I think Jeff said it was Tim Dierkes and Zach Links
I like the fit of the Angels signing Zobrist, maybe they are the mystery team
Good timing! He and heyward would both be terrific fits for them, and they probably have more money to spend than they are letting on based on Eppler’s comments
Angels GM’s and Moreno say every year that they will exceed the luxury cap “for the right player” but never do…
personally i’d prefer cespedes as a fit for the angels. not convinced heywards bat is lively enough.
I like Heyward’s all around game over Cesepedes even though Cesepedes has more power…..Jason also left handed and much is less of a club house problem. …how many times Cespedes has been moved in such a short career is. red flag for me. …
signing Heyward would probably mean moving Calhoun to left, whereas Cespedes wouldnt require any tinkering. Not that moving Kole is a major issue. Heyward is a great option, just prefer Cespedes raw power.
Ya Heyward would be a better bet solely cause he has a left hand bat to balance out that line up a bit that is pretty heavy on right handed
Oakland moves Cespedes to get Lester. No red flag there really.
Boston moved Cespedes to get Porcello, because he wasn’t adjusting to the Green Monster well and his contract had a stipulation that basically prevented a team from re-signing him and making a QO, meaning his only value could come his performance or from trading him, no getting a comp pick. Only red flag might be defensive issues.
Detroit traded him because they fell out of contention and to get value for him, because of the previously mentioned inability to tag him with a QO. No red flags.
Angels make a lot of sense as mystery team, Giavotella was ok with the bat last year but rated out terribly as defender both by UZR and DRS, in fact he had a -12 DRS which is really really awful (-8.6 UZR/150)
As much as I agree Zobrist would be an upgrade over Johnny G…..a LF is much more of a need….Ben could play LF but if they wanna go that route I think Gordon is a better option….
“Mystery teams” are the figment of imagination of agents.
Tell that to the Dodgers and Giants about Greinke.
Can’t forget the mystery team!
Atlanta is the “Mystery Team”
I can’t understand why theses teams are willing to give a 35 year old, .265 hitter with little power and average defense anywhere close to 4 years and $60 million. If you’re going to give basically a utility player $15 mill/yr, you might as well go the extra $5-7 mill
and get an impact bat. The Mets will never learn, they get tunnel vision like they did last
year with Cuddyer and soon regret it. Except this time it will 4 years and more money instead of 2.
One of his best assets is OBP as well. You cant overlook that. A guy who is as versatile has him, gets on base as often as him, with a veteran presence in a clubhouse is a huge asset. If there are injuries on a team, Zobrist can basically fill the most gaping holes.
On top of what you said, he’s also a switch-hitter who’s main position is 2b, which the Mets (and I’m sure many other teams) could use. Not many other options in free agency (besides Kendrick, who requires giving up a pick) and trade market (Neil Walker, who won’t be too expensive, but still requires probably giving up a prospect or young arm).
I understand all that, but he’s not that much of an upgrade over what you already have. I see the price on Baez seems to be coming down to a reasonable level. The Mets should try to get him for Wheeler. Fair for both sides, then they can play him at
SS, Flores at 2nd, and use Tejada as utility. It would cost less money and a better team.
Much healthier than Cuddyer. Also makes bench stronger bc doesn’t force you to go with any particular player bc of position when someone gets hurt (keeps the Eric Campbells, cecillianis, Munos, niewenheis’ from being factors)
I really believe the Royals will surrender and end up paying him this week. they love this guy and he has made a name for himself there.