The Mets are maintaining strong interest in Ben Zobrist, and assistant GM John Ricco told reporters as much today (as ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin tweets), plainly stating, “We’re very interested” when asked about Zobrist, adding that a decision is expected sooner rather than later. Rubin adds that Zobrist recently visited with the Mets, who spent some time showing him around the Connecticut suburbs and the Westcheseter area with his wife and newborn son in an effort to “demonstrate there is grass in the New York City area for families” (Twitter link). Sandy Alderson was present for an entire day of recruiting, per Rubin.
It would appear that meeting is one of four such meetings that Zobrist has planned, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Rosenthal says that the Giants are “likely” another one of the planned visits, and he also tweets that Zobrist already met with the Braves. The Nationals, too, are a club of interest, Rosenthal adds, although it’s not yet clear if he’ll be visiting the Nats in this manner.
The main roadblock for the Mets in previous Zobrist rumors has been that the team doesn’t want to go to a fourth year for Zobrist, who will play next season at age 35. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan recently pegged the asking price for Zobrist at about $60MM over four years, so it’s certainly possible that a fourth year will ultimately be required if the Mets want to land Zobrist.
Newsday’s Marc Carig reported today, though (links to Twitter), that a fourth year isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker for the Mets. The team hasn’t drawn a hard line when it comes to length of contract and is prepared to offer a fourth year if that’s what it takes to acquire him. The Mets are being “very aggressive” with Zobrist and can accept the risk of a fourth year, per Carig, who adds that Zobrist left the club with the impression that he has narrowed his choices. For what it’s worth — I’ll point out that initial reports two years ago indicated that the Mets didn’t want to go to a fourth year on Curtis Granderson, either, and Granderson ultimately wound up signing for the exact four-year, $60MM figure Passan mentioned in connection to Zobrist.
Seems like only an AL team should give Zobrist the 4th year, that way he can play DH if his fielding declines too much around age 38-39.
If there aren’t any trade clauses involved, an NL team could conceivably trade him before the fourth season.
you want a 38/39 year old Ben Zobrist as your DH?
Westchester…? LOL. Sure – all the grass in NYC is 30 mins by train. And we’ve got beautiful beaches too, Ben. How far is Montauk?
For that price, someone eelse can sign him.
I don’t understand why the Giants would be interested, given his age & the years he’s asking. IMO, There are better options to put in LF.
He would be ideal on the Braves. Provides leadership on the field and insanely versatile. Only problem is they aren’t competing next year…
Please sign elsewhere. I can’t see why we are so in love with a guy who bats .270 with 12 homers and 50-60 rbi. 4 years 60 mill for that? No…