With the Mets looking to add more firepower to their lineup, could Ben Zobrist be the answer the team is looking for?
Zobrist is a popular trade target among fans, but there is one major problem with this idea. He will be massively overpriced on the trade market.
The Yankees, Nationals and Cubs are already connected to Zobrist, so it’s likely that there is going to be an intense bidding war. I also won’t be surprised if more teams enter the mix as his versatility makes him an intriguing option for many contending clubs.
Furthermore, Billy Beane has all the leverage in this situation. If he doesn’t receive a great offer, he can keep Zobrist and acquire draft pick compensation once he leaves as a free agent.
So don’t be shocked if Beane asks for prized prospects like Amed Rosario or possibly Michael Conforto. That may sound ludicrous, but this is similar to the Rays asking price last off-season. They originally demanded a top ranked prospect before settling on the underrated John Jaso and two promising minor league hitters.
These are the type of players the Mets will have to part with, and it’s just too much to sacrifice for a short term rental.
It’s also worth noting that that Zobrist’s power numbers have declined significantly. While he once belted 20 home runs in back to back seasons, these totals dropped to 12 and 10 during the last two years. His slugging percentage has also plummeted to .398 in this span compared to .470 in 2011 and 2012.
To make this trend even more concerning, this year he’s batting just .205 with two home runs in 88 at-bats. At the age of 34, he is simply not the same player he was in his prime.
Regardless of the A’s asking price, he is not the difference maker this team desperately needs. Alderson should look elsewhere and let someone else overpay for his declining production.
