Latest Update
The New York Mets will apparently do whatever it takes to sign free agent Ben Zobrist, including giving him a four year contract.
On Sunday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirmed that the Mets will offer a four year deal to Zobrist, but added that the Nationals, Giants and the Dodgers also have four year deals on the table.
Zobrist has already met with the Giants and the Dodgers this weekend, and has meetings planned with the Nationals on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports doesn’t believe the Dodgers are a factor and says it’s essentially down to the Mets, Nationals and Giants.
Assistant GM John Ricco told reporters he will likely meet with Zobrist or his agents again at the Winter Meetings.
Manager Terry Collins also plans to reach out to and speak with Zobrist, as the Mets are pulling all the stops to get a deal done with him.
Over a dozen reports agree that Zobrist will decide on his new team before Thursday.
December 4
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, free agent Ben Zobrist spent the day with Sandy Alderson and Jeff Wilpon and had dinner together. They also spent some time touring parts of Westchester and Connecticut.
One of the top player in this year’s free agent market, Zobrist has spent this week meeting with several teams on the East Coast which had been planned for some time by his agents and representatives.
There are as many as 20 teams pursuing the versatile infielder and outfielder with the Nationals, Giants, Cubs, Cardinals and Dodgers all showing significant interest in addition to the Mets who have reportedly made him their top offseason priority. However, some new reports seem to suggest that Zobrist has narrowed his list down to 6-8 teams.
Yahoo Sports‘ Jeff Passan reported that the high demand now has the price tag on Zobrist currently sitting at four years and $60 million dollars and that it will likely go even higher than that.
Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reported on Monday that a four-year commitment from the Mets is very unlikely despite their interest while Joel Sherman of the New York Post added, “the Mets don’t appear inclined to offer a fourth guaranteed year despite their affection for Zobrist, who will turn 35 next May 26.”
Last season in 126 games with the Athletics and Royals, Zobrist hit .276/.359/.450 with 13 home runs, 36 doubles and 56 RBIs. He also had a strong postseason, batting .303 with two home runs and six RBIs.
Struggling to come back from an injury in April and May, Zobrist had a down year in 2015. But his .349 wOBA and 123 wRC+ were still better than Daniel Murphy who had his best season and produced a .325 wOBA and 110 wRC+.
Additionally, Zobrist batted a respectable .253 with a .753 OPS against right-handed pitching last season. But he absolutely torched left-handers with a .329 average against them with a .409 on-base and .926 OPS.
Mets assistant GM John Ricco confirmed the team’s interest today. “We’re very interested in Ben Zobrist,” he said.”We expect a decision from him sooner than later.”
Zobrist will reportedly decide on his new team before the Winter Meetings conclude in Nashville on December 10.
