Zobrist, Cubs agree to 4-year deal
The Chicago Cubs added one of the game's most versatile stars to their roster Tuesday evening, agreeing to a four-year deal with two-time All-Star Ben Zobrist that's reportedly worth $56 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Zobrist's deal, pending a physical, also includes a full no-trade provision for the first three years, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The 34-year-old will earn $10 million in 2016 (along with a $2-million signing bonus), $16 million in each of the next two seasons, and $12 million in the final year of his contact, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports.
Boasting an impressive stable of infielders, the Cubs weren't expected to pursue Zobrist when the winter meetings began, but jumped into the conversation Tuesday evening amid reports that they were discussing a trade with the New York Yankees involving incumbent second baseman Starlin Castro.
Shortly after agreeing to sign Zobrist, the Cubs shipped Castro to the Yankees for right-hander Adam Warren and a player to be named later.
Zobrist, whose preference is to play second base, was widely expected to end up with either the New York Mets or Washington Nationals, and even received "We want you" text messages from Mets manager Terry Collins on Tuesday. He decided to head to Chicago instead, though, where he'll reunite with manager Joe Maddon, whom he played under for nine years with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Zobrist - a sixth-round pick in the 2004 draft - has quietly assembled one of the most compelling resumes in the majors, logging more WAR since 2010 than all but nine players. Over parts of 10 seasons in the big leagues, Zobrist owns a .786 OPS (117 OPS+) and boasts at least 111 games played at four different positions (second base, right field, shortstop, left field).
| Season | WAR | wRC+ | ISO | BB/K | DRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 5 | 114 | .127 | 0.79 | 7 |
| 2014 | 5.5 | 117 | .123 | 0.89 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2.1 | 123 | .173 | 1.11 | -7 |
Acquired by the Oakland Athletics last offseason, Zobrist appeared in just 14 games this season before undergoing knee surgery that sidelined him for roughly four weeks. Upon returning from the disabled list, however, Zobrist posted an .827 OPS in 53 games with Oakland before getting shipped to the Kansas City Royals ahead of the trade deadline.
Zobrist was just as productive with the Royals, hitting .284/.364/.453 over his final 59 regular-season games before posting an .880 OPS with 10 extra-base hits in 16 playoff games for the eventual World Series champions.