Cubs DFA Zagunis, Option Bote, Reinstate Zobrist
2019/08/cubs-dfa-zagunis-option-bote-reinstate-zobrist.htmlCubs utilityman Ben Zobrist has been reinstated from the restricted list and added to the 25-man and 40-man rosters, according to a tweet from Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic (link).
Cubs To Activate Ben Zobrist
2019/08/cubs-to-activate-ben-zobrist.htmlThe Cubs will activate veteran utilityman Ben Zobrist when active rosters expand on Sunday, Bruce Levine of 670thescore.com reports on Twitter.
NL Central Notes: Moose, Zobrist, Estrada, Cards
2019/08/nl-central-notes-moose-zobrist-estrada-cards.htmlIt seems the expectation remains that the Cubs will bring Ben Zobrist onto the active roster once rosters expand on September 1st, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
Latest On Ben Zobrist, Brandon Morrow
2019/08/latest-on-ben-zobrist-brandon-morrow.htmlSecond baseman/outfielder Ben Zobrist has barely contributed this season, while reliever Brandon Morrow hasn't taken a major league mound since July 15, 2018.
Astros Acquire Martin Maldonado For Tony Kemp
2019/07/astros-acquire-martin-maldonado.htmlThe club could acquire further help at either position in the next few hours, but it does expect to get second baseman/outfielder Ben Zobrist back from the restricted list later in the season.
Cubs, Orioles Have Discussed Jonathan Villar
2019/07/cubs-trade-rumors-jonathan-villar-orioles.htmlThe potential return of Ben Zobrist, who is slated to head out on a minor league rehab assignment, could lessen any urgency to make an outside addition, though.
Ben Zobrist To Begin Rehab Assignment
2019/08/ben-zobrist-to-begin-rehab-assignment.html1: Zobrist's rehab will begin this weekend at the Single-A level, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com was among those to report.
Cubs Option Addison Russell To Triple-A
2019/07/cubs-option-addison-russell-to-triple-a.htmlThe Cubs have been tied to Eric Sogard on the rumor mill recently, and it stands to reason that they're also exploring the possibility of adding another cost-efficient option at second base while waiting to see whether Ben Zobrist returns to the lineup in 2019.
Cubs Have Interest In Jarrod Dyson, Eric Sogard
2019/07/cubs-trade-rumors-jarrod-dyson-dbacks-eric-sogard-blue-jays.htmlAs a versatile defender capable of handling second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield corners, Sogard could give the Cubs a sort of Ben Zobrist-lite skill set at a time when the organization still isn't sure when (or if) Zobrist will return.
Latest On Cubs’ Trade Deadline Focus
2019/07/cubs-trade-rumors-royals-whit-merrifield.htmlManager Joe Maddon spoke openly over the weekend about the manner in which the team is missing the "consistent" and "professional" at-bats brought to the table by Ben Zobrist (link via Tom Musnick of the Chicago Sun-Times), and Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago/670 The Score reports that the Cubs are in the market for a veteran hitter to whom they can entrust leadoff duties.
Theo Epstein On Cubs’ Struggles, Front Office, Trades
2019/07/theo-epstein-on-cubs-struggles-front-office-trades.htmlWhile Ben Zobrist wasn't hitting well before going on the restricted list in May, his possible return could help both second base and left field, as Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber have both underachieved.
Theo Epstein On Cubs’ Slide: “Not Acceptable”
2019/07/theo-epstein-on-cubs-slide-not-acceptable.htmlOn the other hand, when the Cubs haven't used Bote at second, they've gotten little at the position from Russell, Daniel Descalso and Ben Zobrist.
Athletics To Designate Aaron Brooks, Activate Blake Treinen
2019/07/athletics-to-designate-aaron-brooks-activate-blake-treinen.htmlHe was previously a member of the A's in 2015 when they landed him and Sean Manaea from the Royals in a deal for Ben Zobrist.
Jed Hoyer Discusses Cubs’ Needs
2019/07/jed-hoyer-discusses-cubs-needs.htmlThey've gotten dreadful offensive production at the keystone from primary options Daniel Descalso and Addison Russell, though the multi-positional David Bote has logged decent numbers and fellow utilityman Ben Zobrist could return from the restricted list later in 2019.
Cubs Likely To Target Left-Handed Relief Upgrades
2019/06/cubs-trade-rumors-left-handed-relievers-bullpen.htmlWithin a broader look at the potential return of Ben Zobrist later this season, The Athletic's Patrick Mooney writes (subscription required) that the Cubs believe they can shift their trade-deadline focus to acquiring left-handed relief help now that they've addressed their biggest need by signing Craig Kimbrel.
Ben Zobrist Could Return This Season
2019/06/ben-zobrist-could-return-this-season.htmlThe Cubs have been without utilityman Ben Zobrist since May 8 as he deals with a divorce, but they're "open" to welcoming him back "later in the season," president of baseball operations Theo Epstein told Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com and other reporters Thursday.
This Date In Transactions History: Cubs Land Jorge Soler
2019/06/this-date-in-transactions-history-cubs-land-jorge-soler.htmlAfter celebrating their championship that fall, the Cubs elected to part with Soler, deciding there was no longer a place for him in an outfield that also had Ben Zobrist, Albert Almora, Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward, Jon Jay and Matt Szczur in the fold.
David Bote: Starman?
2019/06/david-bote-starman.htmlThat certainly includes the Cubs, who haven't recalled infielder/outfielder Ian Happ since demoting him to Triple-A prior to the season, may never see utilityman extraordinaire Ben Zobrist put on their uniform again, and have received woeful production from offseason second base pickup Daniel Descalso.
Theo Epstein Discusses Ben Zobrist
2019/06/theo-epstein-discusses-ben-zobrist.htmlThe Cubs placed utility player Ben Zobrist on the restricted list May 8 because of a personal matter, though it wasn't clear whether they were still paying him.
Cubs Sign Craig Kimbrel
2019/06/cubs-to-sign-craig-kimbrel.htmlBen Zobrist's placement on the restricted list on May 8 means that his salary no longer counted towards Chicago's luxury tax calculations, and if Zobrist misses the entire season (which seems increasingly likely at this juncture), the Cubs would have around $9MM to work with, money has seems to have fueled their push for Kimbrel.
Cubs Select Carlos Gonzalez, Designate Jim Adduci For Assignment
2019/06/cubs-promote-select-carlos-gonzalez-jim-adduci-dfa.htmlAt the moment, with Ben Zobrist away from the team indefinitely and Ian Happ posting pedestrian numbers in Iowa, the Cubs' only lefty bats off the bench were Adduci and backup catcher Victor Caratini (a switch-hitter).
Cubs Showing Interest In Craig Kimbrel
2019/06/cubs-showing-interest-in-craig-kimbrel.htmlThe Cubs financial story remains the same with one new wrinkle: an unfortunate family situation has left utility maven Ben Zobrist on the restricted list since May 8th.
Revisiting The Best Fits For Craig Kimbrel
2019/05/craig-kimbrel-rumors-braves-phillies-rays-twins.htmlWe're barely three months past owner Tom Ricketts declaring he had no more money to spend, and even if the Cubs aren't paying Ben Zobrist's full salary (which isn't fully clear), they're near the second luxury tax bracket.
Cubs To Sign Carlos Gonzalez
2019/05/cubs-to-sign-carlos-gonzalez.htmlWith loads of uncertainty surrounding Ben Zobrist, there's a roster spot to play with.
Cubs Injury Updates: Bryant, Baez, Strop, Montgomery
2019/05/cubs-injury-updates-bryant-baez-strop-montgomery.htmlKeeping those star players healthy is all the more important with Ben Zobrist's status in question.