The Cubs could also play Zobrist in left field on days where Kyle Schwarber sits or catches.
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Zobrist will be reunited with former manager Joe Maddon in Chicago after spending previous year with the Athletics and Royals.
The Chicago Cubs have made another surprise signing and this time struck a deal with Ben Zobrist at the MLB Winter Meetings, according to the latest rumors.
With the agreement, the Cubs then traded infielder Starlin Castro to the New York Yankees for right-hander Adam Warren and a player to be named.
Arizona, which finalized a $206.5 million, six-year contract with major-league ERA leader Zack Greinke earlier in the day, also would send outfielder Ender Inciarte and pitching prospect Aaron Blair to the Braves, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. Joel Sherman of the New York Post was first to confirm the Castro trade was done, thus opening up second base to be Zobrist’s primary position in Chicago.
Ben Zobrist entered free agency as one of the most sought after position players on the market because of his ability to play multiple positions and switch-hit.
This year, he helped the Kansas City Royals win the World Series while batting. But Zobrist is also 34 and he was looking for a four-year contract, so there was reason for some teams to be hesitant.
Zobrist has a career.
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On Monday, it was reported that Zobrist had narrowed his decision down to four options – the Washington Nationals, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and a mystery team – and apparently that mystery team was the Cubs. Given that they still have Javier Baez as a possible second baseman, that’s a feasible scenario too.
