Longtime utilityman extraordinaire Ben Zobrist hasn’t decided whether he’ll continue his career in 2020, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic tweets. For now, though, Zobrist is working out in case he elects to sign a free-agent contract with a club.
The 38-year-old Zobrist has been among the majors’ most productive players over the past decade, but he’s now on the open market at what looks like an inopportune time. Zobrist was barely a factor for this year’s Cubs, as he missed a large portion of the season while dealing with a divorce. When he actually did take the field, the switch-hitting Zobrist batted a powerless .260/358/.313 with one home run over 176 plate appearances. But Zobrist’s typically high on-base percentage remained strong, and he collected almost as many walks (23) as strikeouts (24).
Thanks to Zobrist’s excellent track record and the positives he showed amid a rough 2019, there’s little doubt he’ll draw a decent amount of interest in free agency if he wishes to continue playing. That said, Zobrist has the disadvantage of being one of many flawed but capable free-agent second base types. Teams that don’t want to break the bank at the position could choose from Zobrist, Starlin Castro, Brian Dozier, Brock Holt, Howie Kendrick, Jason Kipnis and Jonathan Schoop, among others. Of course, unlike the majority of second basemen on this year’s market, Zobrist can play a respectable corner outfield. That should help Zobrist’s cause if he decides to continue his career next season.
I’m still saying back on a one year deal with the Rays.
Rays / Cubs / Angels would be the only places he’d probably even consider.
Rays – Old organization
Cubs – House / Present team
Angels – Joe Maddon
I think he goes to Angels to play under Maddon.
Big Baby Ben should just retire. Can’t count on a guy who jumps ship when the club needs you the most. Big Baby Ben, you blew it.
Why in the world would you say that?
These guys are human beings as well dude.
Personal matters do matter.
Dude Big Baby Ben was mad his wife cheated on him. Theo told the world that Big Baby Ben needs his privacy to deal with his intimate matter. When Big Baby Ben came back he held a press conference and answered every question asked. That’s not the behavior of someone who supposedly had a 3 month breakdown. Big Baby Ben is not the sensitive guy people are making him out to be. He got mad, don’t blame him. But divorce isn’t the issue here. Pete Rose had a very public divorce. Very bitter and worse. Pete didn’t leave his team because he was mad at his wife. Pete hit in 44 straight that year.
Dude people like you are why these chat boards aren’t fun anymore. People used to yap about baseball and now DBs like you just post mean spirited content. If you’re ridiculously insecure brain actually thinks this way, to convey it in a public forum, shows the whole world what a schmuck you are. Big Baby Ben? You’re an idiot. This guy is one of the most respected guys in baseball, meanwhile, I guarantee you don’t garner respect from anyone in the world.
Ben spoiled the fun. Ben is the reason the Cubs didn’t make the playoffs. The guy walked out on his team and nobody got upset at this? So sensitive to Ben and his recovery. Who cares where he plays or if he plays at all? Ben respected? Not anymore
If you think he was the reason the Cubs didn’t make the playoffs, that further proves you don’t have a clue what you are talking about. All season it was the pitching, too many walks, no shut down reliever, and an extreme lack in clutch hitting that caused the team to fail. Everyone handles divorce differently anyway so you have no idea what he was going through. Who cares what hr saif in answering press conference questions. Guys makeup stuff a lot during those to just get through them.
That was very respectful you db.
That was very respectful you db.
Was there a divorce? Ben abandoned the team. You don’t think his teammates were upset with this? Ben screwed that team up whether you think so or not. Or whether you think he had a good reason to or not.
So what does the way Rose handled a divorce have to do with Zobrist
Zobrist was not the reason the Cubs lost baby Ty
What divorce? Is Zobrist divorced? The point is Pete didn’t quit the team and Zobrist did. Ben is like you word, a basketcase.
Laid it down!
Cubs didn’t make the playoffs because they suck and they are the most overrated team in baseball
Found the salty cubs fan.
White Sox White Sox Go Go White Sox
Please don’t put the Sox name on this
The White Sox fans do not want or need poor baby tycobb016
word- of course Sox fans want and need me. As soon as the Cry Room is empty you can go in and let it out, compose yourself, wash your face and come join the party. Don’t let Big Baby Ben bring you down like he has so many others.
Just stop, man. You’re just digging your hole deeper.
Don’t worry about me Rondon. Look in the mirror and fix what you see.
Ben left the team during a Divorce and nothing was held against him. You need to stop trolling and realize your comments are childish as can be. Hope you never go through a divorce that involves your children…
Ben did not leave the team during a divorce. He left the team to confront his wife. Doesn’t matter if his teammates were okay with him taking four months off, it still hurt the team. You are entitled to your opinion but you need to stop telling me what to do.
Nice b8 m8.
This just in: you’re a clown.
One has to be feel sorry for the Ben Zobrist of the world. Going through a divorce specially when there are kids involved is not easy, never has and never will…
Hey, I used to live in Sarasota. In Tampa, Zobrist and his wife were involved with some churches that made tons of cash for her music career. Many don’t know this, even after all these years in Chicago. Last I heard they are members of Harvest Bible Chapel, like Tebow.
Rallyshirt
So what? What does this have to do with Zobrist playing in 2020? I will tell you, nothing.
I think a lot of teams put some measure into if a player has off field issues which could effect the organization. Don’t you?
Go home Ben. I don’t see how any team signs him to a mlb deal considering what he went through last year and doubt he takes a minor league deal. Tough break on the family drama but to play Major league baseball you need to be counted on everyday not just when life is good. This sounds cold but it’s the truth. I wish him nothing but the best going forward.
Well she is a great example of a christen! Most end up cheating.
A lot of people cheat. Doesn’t mean they can abandon their post.
So the key to the Cubs making the playoffs was a 38 year old utility player not missing any games…got it. The entire Cubs bullpen must of really taken the divorce hard.
What divorce? Was there a divorce?
Yes, you see they still love each other but they’re not in love anymore. Its not your fault though buddy. They’ll always be there for you and still love you so much. That will never change. Hang in there, divorces are hard on everyone.
What is a “christen”?
There’s not a big sample size of either side of his absence, but it is worth noting anyway:
First half stats: .241/.343/.253, 1 double, 0 HR (99 PA)
Second half: .284/.377/.388, 5 doubles, 1 HR (77 PA)
Nobody is going to mistake him for a power hitter, but he hit significantly better when he returned. If he wants to keep playing, somebody will find a spot for him.
It would be fitting for Ben to go back to the Rays.
It was always the best place for him.
The White Sox should consider him. They have a need in RF and also 2B until Nick Madrigal arrives on the scene.
Do you know what the Cubs really need? NO WIVES!
Ben Zobrist takes family leave in May and what happens? The money that the Cubs save from him being on the restricted list starts burning a hole in Theo’s pocket and he goes out and acquires Craig Kimbrel. And then Ben comes back and we still have to listen to that walk up music. Now that it looks like they’re going to get back together, we’ll probably see Julianna hawking her new book on FOX and Friends, “How to Reconcile with Your Man” and her new CD, “Reconciliation” where we get to listen to her sing like she’s passing a kidney stone.
And Melisa Reidy Russell… I’m sorry Addison was rough on you. But couldn’t you have waited until after the postseason in 2018 to make that blog post? Thanks a lot! We got to watch Daniel Murphy’s impression of a sieve the rest of the season.
All a Cub player really needs in times of trouble is a mother’s love where she can press their head to her bosom and murmur, “There, there.” He doesn’t need any other woman: No wives, no girlfriends, no hotel groupies! If times get lonely and a certain urge comes along, just go to your room, turn off the light, get under the covers and run one out. Remember to roll up your bed sheets, leave them in the corner, and Mom will wash them the next morning.
And by the way, did you notice how Kyle turned it on In the second half? You’re looking at the starting LF for the NL in the 2020 All-Star game. I’ll knock Theo and Jeds’ heads together if they even think of trading him. Wait a second, I just got a text. Kyle’s getting MARRIED this winter! Excuse me, I have to put a stop to this!
You know, I hated the Cubs with Maddon and was glad they faltered this year, but given the comments here—about the personal life of Zobrist—well, I hope it’s another 108 years until the next WS title
Idiots have no team. Either do haters.
Run to Joe, Basketcase Ben, run to Joe.
It sounds crazy but I know there’s some Royals fans (Not necessarily me) who would rather have Ben zobrist back than Alex Gordon for one more year. If Alex Gordon retires though, there could be a spot for Ben. But he’d have to change his walk up music. he’d have to play left field, though. A better choice than Chris Owings, whom we had to suffer through for 2 & 1/2 months.