Mariners Acquire Yonder Alonso
2017/08/mariners-acquire-yonder-alonso.htmlThey ended up sending him, John Jaso and Daniel Robertson to the Rays in a 2015 deal that netted the A's Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar.
Reactions To And Effects Of The Jose Quintana Trade
2017/07/reactions-to-and-effects-of-the-jose-quintana-trade.htmlShedding money from aging veterans like Arrieta, John Lackey and Ben Zobrist will obviously free up some cash, but Quintana's contract meets an important nexus of future payroll flexibility, remaining under the luxury tax and improving the near- and long-term roster.
Cubs Option Kyle Schwarber, Place Jason Heyward On DL
2017/06/cubs-option-kyle-schwarber.htmlBen Zobrist seems likely to return from the DL soon, joining Ian Happ as an option in left.
Health Notes: Pollock, Smith, E-Rod, Villar, Hughes, Zobrist, AGon, Semien, Werth, Flaherty
2017/06/d-backs-pollock-quad-strain-joe-smith-jays-dl-eduardo-rodriguez-rehab-villar-hughes.htmlVeteran Cubs infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist got some good news, as Jeff Arnold of the Chicago Sun-Times writes.
Injury Notes: Shields, Walker, Harvey, Johnson, Zobrist, Skaggs, Hamels, Cosart, Urias
2017/06/white-sox-to-activate-james-shields-neil-walker-hamstring-injury-matt-harvey-velocity-drop-mets.htmlThe Cubs are weighing a DL move for Ben Zobrist, as Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune was among those to report.
Cubs Promote Ian Happ
2017/05/cubs-could-promote-ian-happ.htmlThe Cubs, of course, have Kyle Schwarber in left and Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist available at second, although they're generally flexible in their lineup construction, and it doesn't appear they're planning to clear a permanent space for Happ right now anyway.
Cubs Designate Matt Szczur For Assignment
2017/05/cubs-designate-matt-szczur-for-assignment.htmlIn 23 plate appearances this season, the 27-year-old has batted .211/.273/.263 for a team that has plenty of other outfield options in Jason Heyward, Kyle Schwarber, Ben Zobrist, Jon Jay and Albert Almora Jr..
NL Notes: Cubs, Mets, Nationals
2017/04/nl-notes-cubs-mets-nationals.htmlBen Zobrist started the majority of the Cubs' regular-season games at second base in 2016, but Javier Baez is now in the process of becoming the team's everyday option at the keystone, writes Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago.
Coppolella On Braves’ Rotation, Albies, Rodriguez
2017/04/coppolella-on-braves-rotation-albies-rodriguez.htmlFor us he was a lot like Ben Zobrist for the Chicago Cubs where he would play a lot and play a lot of different positions," Coppolella argues.
Offseason In Review: Chicago Cubs
2017/03/offseason-in-review-chicago-cubs-9.htmlSzczur, who is out of minor league options, has few paths to playing time in a Cubs outfield that includes Almora, Jay, Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward, and Ben Zobrist.
NL Notes: Giants, Blanco, Orioles, Voth, Happ
2017/03/nl-notes-giants-blanco-orioles-voth-happ.htmlWith so many young Cubs stars already in place around the diamond, prospect Ian Happ is looking to help his chances of finding a regular role by playing multiple positions a la Ben Zobrist, Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com writes.
Yankees Willing To Listen To Offers For Rob Refsnyder
2017/03/yankees-willing-to-listen-to-offers-for-rob-refsnyder.htmlThis isn't the first time Refsnyder has been involved in trade buzz --- back in the summer of 2015, the Yankees refused a deal that would've sent Refsnyder and Adam Warren to the A's for Ben Zobrist.
Quick Hits: Rule Changes, Capps, Adrianza, Utley
2017/02/quick-hits-rule-changes-capps-adrianza-utley.htmlJavier Baez's emergence may have already pushed Ben Zobrist into a crowded outfield, and the team also has Tommy La Stella on the roster as an additional infield option on the bench.
Latest On Mets’ Extension Candidates
2017/02/mets-neil-walker-still-discussing-long-term-deal.htmlRecent deals that could provide guidance include those reached between Justin Turner and the Dodgers (four years, $64MM), Daniel Murphy…
Who’s On First For The 2017 Rockies?
2016/12/whos-on-first-for-the-2017-rockies.html(The miscues, alas, probably mean he won't again play short unless a mid-season need arises.) That versatility led some to suggest that Desmond could sign as a Ben Zobrist-type, everyday utility player.
Transaction Retrospection: The Daniel Murphy Signing
2016/12/transaction-retrospection-the-daniel-murphy-signing.htmlMurphy wasn't exactly a hotly pursued target for D.C., which had previously pushed hard for free-agent Ben Zobrist, chatted with Howie Kendrick about a deal, and nearly consummated a swap with the Reds to acquire Brandon Phillips.
Royals, Cubs Swap Wade Davis For Jorge Soler
2016/12/royals-trade-wade-davis-cubs-jorge-soler.htmlWhile normally selling that type of control for a one-year asset would be difficult, the Cubs possess significant outfield depth and would've struggled to find Soler any form of regular role, as their roster already includes Ben Zobrist, Albert Almora, Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward, Jon Jay and Matt Szczur.
Cubs Sign Jon Jay
2016/11/cubs-to-sign-jon-jay.htmlJay joins an outfield contingent that also includes Kyle Schwarber, Ben Zobrist, Jorge Soler, Jason Heyward, Albert Almora Jr.
Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner Will Reject Qualifying Offer
2016/11/kenley-jansen-justin-will-reject-qualifying-offer.htmlBen Zobrist, after all, inked a four-year, $56MM deal last offseason that began with his age-35 season, and Turner's age-35 season would be the fourth year of a theoretical multi-year pact.
Ian Desmond To Reject Qualifying Offer
2016/11/ian-desmond-to-reject-qualifying-offer.htmlAnd it's certainly possible that he returns to the infield as well, or at the very least operates as a hybrid infielder/outfielder and moves around the diamond with regularity, as Ben Zobrist and others have done in recent years.
Cubs’ Theo Epstein Discusses Offseason Plans
2016/11/cubs-theo-epstein-discusses-offseason-plans.htmlCubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein allocated up to $272MM to free agents Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and John Lackey last winter.
Offseason Outlook: Chicago Cubs
2016/11/offseason-outlook-chicago-cubs-7.htmlBen Zobrist, OF/2B: $44MM through 2019.
Cubs Notes: Rotation, Soler, Epstein
2016/11/cubs-notes-rotation-soler-epstein.htmlWith Heyward, Schwarber, Ben Zobrist and Albert Almora Jr.
The MLB Offseason Begins
2016/11/the-mlb-offseason-begins.htmlOne of many heroes for Chicago was left fielder Ben Zobrist, who delivered a tie-breaking double off Indians reliever Bryan Shaw in the top of the 10th.
Ian Desmond Switches Agencies
2016/11/ian-desmond-switches-agencies.htmlIt's also possible that Desmond could also market himself as a Ben Zobrist-style Swiss army knife that can play multiple positions in the infield and the outfield, which would allow teams with needs virtually anywhere on the diamond to consider him a viable option for improvement.