Position: INF/LF/RF
Bats/Throws: S/R
Age: May 26, 1981 (37)
Traditional Stats: .305/.378/.440, 28 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 58 RBI, 3 SB, 4 CS
Advanced Stats: 3.3 bWAR, 3.6 fWAR, 115 OPS+, 123 wRC+
Defensive Stats: 1B (0 DRS, -0.2 UZR), 2B (2 DRS, 3.0 UZR), LF (4 DRS, 2.5 UZR), RF (2 DRS, 1.3 UZR)
Back in 2015, the Chicago Cubs signed Zobrist as the missing piece of what the team hoped would be their first World Series in 108 years. Zobrist would actually prove to be that piece as he would hit the go-ahead RBI double in the tenth inning of Game 7 of the World Series en route to his winning the World Series MVP.
While the investment has proved worth it, Zobrist has come at a cost. The soon to be 38 year old is due $12.5 million in 2019. That’s a huge issue for the Cubs who are not only in position to pay the luxury tax, but they are also a team who his looking to upgrade their roster after failing to reach the World Series in each of the past two seasons. That has put generational talents like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper far out of reach. It’s also put real and moderately priced upgrades out of reach as well. That’s a huge problem for a win-now team like the Cubs.
While Zobrist had a poor 2017, he rebounded nicely in 2018. Part of the reason was as unlucky as he was in 2017 (.251 BABIP), he was that much luckier in 2018 (.331 BABIP). Really, when breaking it down, his advanced and peripheral numbers are not substantively different than they were in 2017. It should also be pointed out Zobrist’s numbers were substantively similar in 2016 when he was a 3.7 bWAR player.
In his career, Zobrist has always been the same player. He is a defensively versatile player you can trust at second and both corner outfield positions. He gets on base at least 35 percent of the time. He will have 40+ extra base hits. He’s able to fill-in wherever needed, and he is going to be an above league average hitter at any position he plays.
That said, he’s going to be 38 years old and with his 2017 season, there is a legitimate debate if he can be as productive as he has been in the vast majority of his career.
Why The Mets Should Obtain Him
Fact is, the Mets are one player short on their bench. Looking at their 40 man roster, it would appear J.D. Davis fills that last man on the bench role. Davis is a slow footed player who has struggled at the Major League level. Even if you are hopeful, it is unwise for an all-in team to put that much trust in a player who will be turning 26 years who has not done anything in the majors.
Surveying the free agent market, there isn’t anyone available who can do what Zobrist can do. No one is the hitter he is. Moreover, he is what the Mets hope they have in Jeff McNeil. Adding Zobrist to McNeil and Jed Lowrie would make this as versatile and deep a team as there is in baseball. It would be the type of team the Dodgers have built over the past few seasons, and it was one which brought the Dodgers to consecutive World Series.
Why The Mets Should Not Obtain Him
Simply put, Zobrist is old and not cheap. He would also complicate playing time for Lowrie, McNeil, and possibly Todd Frazier. Sometimes, those create problems for teams which could have an affect on how the team plays on the field. That’s not to say players aren’t professional and will be taking their frustrations onto the field. Rather, it’s possible there’s not enough playing time to keep everyone sharp and productive.
There’s also a matter of what you will have to give up to get Zobrist. While the Cubs are interested in dumping his salary, it is not likely they are interested in getting rid of a 3.0+ win player for nothing. Certainly, a win-now Cubs team is going to want to get something which is going to help them win in 2019. That could also harm the Mets chances to winning in 2019. You have to at least hesitate when the return is a 38 year old who had a disastrous 2017 season.
Verdict
The Mets are a win-now team, and they need players to help them win-now. They’re also an older team in certain spots, and bringing in more players will likely help keep players fresher and more productive. Adding Zobrist would allow the team to bring on a good outfielder to the mix. It also helps having a second switch hitter on the bench to help mitigate against right or left-handed reliever.
So long as the Mets can fit it into the budget, and that’s a real concern, the team is not going to be able to get a player of Zobrist’s talent level. If the price is right in terms of players and cost, the Mets should absolutely be in on Zobrist.
