Trade Speculations Surrounding the Oakland Athletics

3. Second baseman/Right-fielder Ben Zobrist
(.227, 3 homeruns, 18 RBIs in 34 games)

May 28, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics second baseman Ben Zobrist (18) looks on during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Yankees 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Zobrist has been one of my favorite baseball players – even during his stint on the Tampa Bay Rays. He can play almost anywhere on the field: second, shortstop, third, left and right field. He’s not a guy who will hit 30 homers in a season, but he’s more than capable of giving a ball club 15-20 a year, along with a career average of .263. Because of Zobrist’s versatility, he is highly considered to be Oakland’s “prized possession” for any contending team. It seems that the Chicago Cubs are the front-runners thus far for Zobrist’s services, and the fact that Joe Maddon is the skipper would most definitely make the transition to the north side much easier – considering their track-record in Tampa Bay. The utility man with the plan has also been linked to the St. Louis Cardinals, where outfielder Matt Holliday is on the disabled list, along with the New York Mets and the Yankees – just to name a few clubs. Beane should have no problem receiving two, if not three, major-league ready players in any deal. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery on a meniscus tear on his left knee on April 12th, there is speculation to believe that his trade value has decreased. However, with his veteran presence, along with a four-walk performance and above-average range in the outfield on Monday night in San Diego; I have to believe that we are finally seeing the Ben Zobrist so many of us have raved about.

Next: Final Thoughts