According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the A’s are still in a holding pattern and unsure if they’ll be buyers or sellers before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
That means that at least for the time being, Ben Zobrist is most likely staying put.
Last week we learned that the Mets and Oakland A’s were discussing a deal for Zobrist, as reported by John Harper of the Daily News.
That was followed by a report from Joel Sherman of the New York Post that when Sandy Alderson stated he was willing to “overpay” for the right hitter to help the Mets’ offense, he was referring to Ben Zobrist.
There are still some questions regarding just how available Zobrist really is.
Last week, Rosenthal pointed out that Oakland’s Billy Beane has shot down at least two offers for Zobrist in the last year, signaling he may not be as motivated to move the versatile infielder as some think he is.
So at least for the time being Zobrist appears unavailable. And as we’ve pointed out many times before, if and when he does become available again there’ll be no less than a half dozen interested teams including the Nationals, Yankees and Dodgers.
July 5
While he wouldn’t go into detail regarding trade talks, on Wednesday Sandy Alderson told John Harper of the Daily News that he understands the urgency to get the ballclub help.
“It would be nice to do something if we could to improve the team and give it a psychological boost,” Alderson said.
With the Mets looking to add some thump to their lineup, could Ben Zobrist be the answer the team is looking for?
The switch-hitting Zobrist is heating up and is 14-for-35 with three home runs and four doubles over his last 10 games, raising his average to .250 after an injury-plagued start to his season with the A’s.
A versatile player who can slot in at second base, shortstop and corner outfield, Zobrist has averaged 39 doubles, 15 home runs and 76 RBI over the last four seasons and has a reputation for being a leader and solid clubhouse guy.
And even despite the slow start to the season, the two-time All Star sports a .789 OPS and 118 OPS+ for the A’s.
Sources on both sides say the two teams have talked about Zobrist recently, but there is no indication they’re close to making a trade.
As Harper points out, it probably won’t take Noah Syndergaard or Steven Matz to get Zobrist, but it probably will take a couple of good prospects and the Mets will have to beat out at least a half dozen other interested teams.
If you had asked me a month ago, I would have told you Zobrist was done and the Mets shouldn’t consider him. But his last five weeks have been impressive and I’m fully in his camp now.
His versatility is very appealing and makes him a better fit than let’s say an Aramis Ramirez who the Mets have also been linked to. Both are free agents after this season.
Obviously, Alderson needs to do something, and adding a player of Zobrist’s caliber could be the boost this offense needs and would lift the morale in the clubhouse and restore some hope to the season.
