If you can’t beat ’em, sign ’em. At least that might be the mindset for the New York Mets, who are reportedly making Kansas City Royals utility man Ben Zobrist their top offseason target less than a month after Zobrist and the Royals defeated them in the 2015 World Series.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports on Sunday, Zobrist is the Mets’ No. 1 free agent target this winter. Rosenthal also mentioned the Nationals, Braves, and Giants amongst other teams who are interested in the 34-year-old, while noting that the Royals are not expected to offer the same money in order to retain Zobrist.
Zobrist posted a slash line of .284/.364/.816 for the Royals after being acquired from the A’s at the 2015 trade deadline. He also brought plus-defense and versatility to the team, playing multiple positions in both the infield and outfield, while collecting 20 hits during Kansas City’s championship run in a classic contract-year postseason.
While Zobrist will turn 35 not long after the 2016 campaign begins and is also said by Rosenthal to be seeking a guaranteed fourth-year in any potential deal, there’s always a vast market for solid two-way contributors in the MLB.
The Mets have a need for the two-time All-Star as Daniel Murphy and Yoenis Cespedes are both free agents as well and could be on their way out of New York. Though Zobrist’s ties to the Royals run deep in more ways than one, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Mets get their man this offseason.
Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
H/T Rotoworld
