The Cubs entire infield started the 2016 All-Star game. This year, no one will.
Wade Davis is the sole Cub representative. Kris Bryant may get a bench slot if he is voted in by the fans.
The Cubs are stumbling to the break with a .500 at best record. Totally disappointing. Totally frustrating. Totally unexpected.
Who would have thought that the best Chicago player this season would be Avi Garcia? The White Sox outfielder has blossomed to a .318 BA, 11 HR, 51 RBI, .362 OBP and 2.9 WAR so far this year.
The Cubs are in an odd position, 3.5 games behind the Brewers. Milwaukee is supposed to crumble with the lack of starting pitching and a young team. But the Brew Crew continues to chug along in first place.
Which makes the Cubs decisions harder to make by the trade deadline. Are the Cubs buyers? Sellers? Or will they just stand pat and ride out the season?
It would seem the latter may happen by default.
No team will give up front line starting pitcher(s) without a King's ransom. And the Cubs better trading chips (like Schwarber) have struggled all season.
Look at a position comparison:
Is Russell a better shortstop than Baez? Russell may have slightly better range, but Baez has a better arm. Russell has regressed this season; some say it is his bum shoulder. That makes Baez almost untradeable since he can play three defensive positions.
Is Zobrist a better 2B/OF than Happ? Zobrist was the first Super Sub when Maddon was the Tampa skipper. Zobrist had a massive WAR because of his defensive skill sets. But Zobrist has struggled this season at the plate and with a wrist injury. Happ got called up early because of the offensive stuggles. He has provided some HR potential while he learns to play the outfield on the fly. Since Happ has upside, he suddenly becomes an untradeable asset because of his versatility.
Would any other team take Russell and/or Zobrist in a trade? Perhaps if a contending team had a key starter get hurt. But they will not be willing to pay top dollar for either one.
So the Cubs are stuck with many veteran chips in a depressed market. If there are moves to make, it may be for the shot-in-the-dark AAAA player to shore up the rotation as a spot starter.
Showing posts with label Zobrist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zobrist. Show all posts
July 5, 2017
February 27, 2016
KEY COMPARISON
The key comparison between the 2015 Cubs playoff run and the 2016 higher expectations is whether Ben Zobrist will perform better than Starlin Castro.
This is the tale of the second baseman. Castro was a salary dump move as part of the jigsaw puzzle that allowed the Cubs baseball brain trust to add players. The swap of Zobrist for Castro is the key.
Zobrist earned extremely high WAR numbers in Tampa by being the super sub. Now, he is supposed to be the everyday second baseman. Can he hold up for a full season at one position?
And considering he had an exceptionally deep fall out last season playing for Oakland and KC, will this trend continue?
Zobrist hit .276 in 126 games in 2015. He had 13 HR, 56 RBI and 3 SB.
By contrast, Castro in 151 games hit .265, 11 HR, 69 RBI, 5 SB.
While in Tampa, Zobrist was a WAR machine:
2009 8.6 WAR
2010 4.6 WAR
2011 8.7 WAR
2012 5.7 WAR
2013 5.0 WAR
2014 4.9 WAR
Last year, it fell to 1.9 WAR or just below starter level.
The best years of Zobrist's career were under Joe Maddon. He needs to have a solid 4.0 WAR with solid defense for the Cubs.
This is the tale of the second baseman. Castro was a salary dump move as part of the jigsaw puzzle that allowed the Cubs baseball brain trust to add players. The swap of Zobrist for Castro is the key.
Zobrist earned extremely high WAR numbers in Tampa by being the super sub. Now, he is supposed to be the everyday second baseman. Can he hold up for a full season at one position?
And considering he had an exceptionally deep fall out last season playing for Oakland and KC, will this trend continue?
Zobrist hit .276 in 126 games in 2015. He had 13 HR, 56 RBI and 3 SB.
By contrast, Castro in 151 games hit .265, 11 HR, 69 RBI, 5 SB.
While in Tampa, Zobrist was a WAR machine:
2009 8.6 WAR
2010 4.6 WAR
2011 8.7 WAR
2012 5.7 WAR
2013 5.0 WAR
2014 4.9 WAR
Last year, it fell to 1.9 WAR or just below starter level.
The best years of Zobrist's career were under Joe Maddon. He needs to have a solid 4.0 WAR with solid defense for the Cubs.
December 9, 2015
CASHING OUT
Starlin Castro should have been traded two years ago to the Yankees. Well, some may think it was better later than never.
Castro's trade to the Yankees was a salary dump move by the Cubs in order to sign Ben Zobrist. Zobrist, who has had a fabulous history as a super utility guy, had a significant drop off in his WAR last season. At 35 and in a full time role in a major market, one would expect Zobrist's contract will have some dead money attached to it.
Last season with two clubs, Zobrist hit .276 with 13 HR and 56 RBI. His WAR was 1.9. In his prior four years his WAR totals were 4.9, 5.0, 5.7, and 8.7. In ten major league seasons, his career WAR is 38.5.
Zobrist's 4 year/$56 million deal was about a third less than the claimed deal he had with the Mets at $80 million. Still, it more than double last year's salary.
With these two moves, by my calculation the Cubs have hit the ceiling of their 2016 payroll budget. This means that the Cubs will have a CF platoon of Coghlan and Szczur.
Mark Gonzales of the Tribune reports the way that the contracts of John Lackey and Zobrist were structured would allow the Cubs to continue to look for pitching as well as address their void in center field with the expected departure of free agent center fielder Dexter Fowler.
"We’ll continue to pursue smaller moves for depth," President Theo Epstein said. "Obviously we’d welcome an impact move if it’s out there. All the moves we have been pursuing previously here are potentially alive for us."
Zobrist's four-year, $56 million contract was structured so that he'll receive a $2 million bonus with a $10 million salary in 2016, followed by salaries of $16 million in 2017 and 2018 and $12 million in 2019.
Lackey will receive a $7 million bonus with a salary of $12.5 million in 2016 and 2017. The Cubs have earmarked about $90 million to 12 players for 2016 - including $11 million for since-departed Edwin Jackson.
The Cubs were looking to obtain cheap, young, controllable pitchers. Adam Warren from the Yankees meets those requirements. Warren, 28, is a classic 6th starter/long reliever. He probably will make the opening day roster as swing man out of the pen if Jason Hammel is still on the roster, or as a long shot to be the 5th starter. With this move, either Grimm or Ramirez is on the bullpen bubble.
The Cubs front office has used all of its powder this off-season, mostly bringing in veterans to shore up a few holes, and juggling a tight payroll budget. Joe Maddon said to the press that repeating last season's 97 wins would be a challenge. That is not what fans want to hear.
Castro's trade to the Yankees was a salary dump move by the Cubs in order to sign Ben Zobrist. Zobrist, who has had a fabulous history as a super utility guy, had a significant drop off in his WAR last season. At 35 and in a full time role in a major market, one would expect Zobrist's contract will have some dead money attached to it.
Last season with two clubs, Zobrist hit .276 with 13 HR and 56 RBI. His WAR was 1.9. In his prior four years his WAR totals were 4.9, 5.0, 5.7, and 8.7. In ten major league seasons, his career WAR is 38.5.
Zobrist's 4 year/$56 million deal was about a third less than the claimed deal he had with the Mets at $80 million. Still, it more than double last year's salary.
With these two moves, by my calculation the Cubs have hit the ceiling of their 2016 payroll budget. This means that the Cubs will have a CF platoon of Coghlan and Szczur.
Mark Gonzales of the Tribune reports the way that the contracts of John Lackey and Zobrist were structured would allow the Cubs to continue to look for pitching as well as address their void in center field with the expected departure of free agent center fielder Dexter Fowler.
"We’ll continue to pursue smaller moves for depth," President Theo Epstein said. "Obviously we’d welcome an impact move if it’s out there. All the moves we have been pursuing previously here are potentially alive for us."
Zobrist's four-year, $56 million contract was structured so that he'll receive a $2 million bonus with a $10 million salary in 2016, followed by salaries of $16 million in 2017 and 2018 and $12 million in 2019.
Lackey will receive a $7 million bonus with a salary of $12.5 million in 2016 and 2017. The Cubs have earmarked about $90 million to 12 players for 2016 - including $11 million for since-departed Edwin Jackson.
The Cubs were looking to obtain cheap, young, controllable pitchers. Adam Warren from the Yankees meets those requirements. Warren, 28, is a classic 6th starter/long reliever. He probably will make the opening day roster as swing man out of the pen if Jason Hammel is still on the roster, or as a long shot to be the 5th starter. With this move, either Grimm or Ramirez is on the bullpen bubble.
The Cubs front office has used all of its powder this off-season, mostly bringing in veterans to shore up a few holes, and juggling a tight payroll budget. Joe Maddon said to the press that repeating last season's 97 wins would be a challenge. That is not what fans want to hear.
July 16, 2015
Z
The most underrated baseball player will be hitting the trade market.
Ben Zobrist, 34, is in his 10th major league season. His career numbers are good, but is versatility is outstanding.
His career numbers are .264 BA, 119 HR, 543 RBI, 103 SB. In 8 fielding positions, he has a collective .983 fielding percentage. In the modern era of carrying extra bullpen pitchers, Zobrist is a manager's secret weapon.
Oakland is in a good Seller's position this year. Zobrist will command a lot of attention as a key upgrade to any contender's bench.
His career numbers are .264 BA, 119 HR, 543 RBI, 103 SB. In 8 fielding positions, he has a collective .983 fielding percentage. In the modern era of carrying extra bullpen pitchers, Zobrist is a manager's secret weapon.
Oakland is in a good Seller's position this year. Zobrist will command a lot of attention as a key upgrade to any contender's bench.
June 1, 2015
ZZZZZZ . . . .
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Sun Times reports:
Zobrist has a connection with Maddon. Check.
The Cubs have traded with Oakland recently. Check.
Zobrist can play multiple positions. Double check.
Zobrist was the best player no one heard of prior to this season. He had a career 36.7 WAR for the Rays. The A's traded for Zobrist thinking he would be consistent. Zobrist, 33, hit .272/.354/.395 (116 OPS+) with 34 doubles, 10 home runs, 10 stolen bases and nearly as many walks (75) as strikeouts (84) in 2014. He played both second base and shortstop as well as all three outfield positions. Zobrist is both very versatile and very good defensively wherever he plays.
But this year, with only 20 GP, he is hitting .243, 1 HR 10 RBI and a negative 0.4 WAR.
Zobrist is owed $7.5 million for 2015, the last year in his current deal. He is then classified as a rental player. As such, the Mets are also rumored to like Zobrist as a bench player.
The Cubs could be sniffing around to get a veteran bench player on the cheap. But there is something odd about Zobrist's sudden decline in production that warrants a second look. And obtaining Zobrist at what cost? A couple of AAA players (when the Cubs high level prospects are now thin)? Addison Russell? (Just kidding - - - but Billy Beane is still smarting over the last deal he made with the Cubs.)
At this point, Zobrist appears not to add much to the Cubs roster, which continues to be pitching staff heavy due to bullpen issues.
While the Cubs keep their eye on the pitching market as they mull a buyer’s approach for the trade deadline, one of their biggest targets heading into June is play-anywhere hitter Ben Zobrist of the Oakland Athletics, according to multiple sources.We start the trade rumor game in earnest.
Zobrist has a connection with Maddon. Check.
The Cubs have traded with Oakland recently. Check.
Zobrist can play multiple positions. Double check.
Zobrist was the best player no one heard of prior to this season. He had a career 36.7 WAR for the Rays. The A's traded for Zobrist thinking he would be consistent. Zobrist, 33, hit .272/.354/.395 (116 OPS+) with 34 doubles, 10 home runs, 10 stolen bases and nearly as many walks (75) as strikeouts (84) in 2014. He played both second base and shortstop as well as all three outfield positions. Zobrist is both very versatile and very good defensively wherever he plays.
But this year, with only 20 GP, he is hitting .243, 1 HR 10 RBI and a negative 0.4 WAR.
Zobrist is owed $7.5 million for 2015, the last year in his current deal. He is then classified as a rental player. As such, the Mets are also rumored to like Zobrist as a bench player.
The Cubs could be sniffing around to get a veteran bench player on the cheap. But there is something odd about Zobrist's sudden decline in production that warrants a second look. And obtaining Zobrist at what cost? A couple of AAA players (when the Cubs high level prospects are now thin)? Addison Russell? (Just kidding - - - but Billy Beane is still smarting over the last deal he made with the Cubs.)
At this point, Zobrist appears not to add much to the Cubs roster, which continues to be pitching staff heavy due to bullpen issues.
January 13, 2015
THE STEALTH PLAYER
He is probably the least known All-Star caliber baseball player in the major leagues.
He got a headline this week when his old team, the Rays, traded him to Oakland.
The Rays have announced that they’ve traded IN/OF Ben Zobrist and SS Yunel Escobar to the Athletics for catcher/DH John Jaso, shortstop prospect Daniel Robertson (BA rank #85 in baseball), outfield prospect Boog Powell (Oakland's #11 prospect), and $1.5 million in cash.
The 33-year-old Zobrist has been one of baseball’s best players over the past several seasons, with four straight seasons of an fWAR of above 5.0. While his offense the past two years has been down from his 2008-2012 pace (slipping somewhat to .272/.354/.395 in 2014), his defensive talents and ability to play second base, shortstop and outfield make him tremendously valuable. He will be eligible for free agency after making $7.5 million in the last option season on the team-friendly extension he signed with Tampa in 2010. The Athletics can also extend Zobrist a qualifying offer after the season, potentially netting themselves a draft pick if he signs elsewhere.
Zobrist's 9 year average WAR is an outstanding 4.07. He has had two seasons in which his WAR was more than 8! In 2009 (8.9) and 2011 (8.7). In the last three seasons, his WAR has been 5.7, 4.8, and 5.0. In 2014 he hit 16 HR, 52 RBI, .272 BA and 10 SB. In his 9 year career, he has hit 114 HR, 511 RBI, .264 BA with 102 SB.
Playing in Tampa certainly had dampened Zobrist's national reputation. But Billy Beane continues to find value in re-tolling his Oakland club for another post-season run in 2015, acquiring young talent like infielder Marcus Semien, which some scouts compare favorably to a young Zobrist.
He got a headline this week when his old team, the Rays, traded him to Oakland.
The Rays have announced that they’ve traded IN/OF Ben Zobrist and SS Yunel Escobar to the Athletics for catcher/DH John Jaso, shortstop prospect Daniel Robertson (BA rank #85 in baseball), outfield prospect Boog Powell (Oakland's #11 prospect), and $1.5 million in cash.
The 33-year-old Zobrist has been one of baseball’s best players over the past several seasons, with four straight seasons of an fWAR of above 5.0. While his offense the past two years has been down from his 2008-2012 pace (slipping somewhat to .272/.354/.395 in 2014), his defensive talents and ability to play second base, shortstop and outfield make him tremendously valuable. He will be eligible for free agency after making $7.5 million in the last option season on the team-friendly extension he signed with Tampa in 2010. The Athletics can also extend Zobrist a qualifying offer after the season, potentially netting themselves a draft pick if he signs elsewhere.
Zobrist's 9 year average WAR is an outstanding 4.07. He has had two seasons in which his WAR was more than 8! In 2009 (8.9) and 2011 (8.7). In the last three seasons, his WAR has been 5.7, 4.8, and 5.0. In 2014 he hit 16 HR, 52 RBI, .272 BA and 10 SB. In his 9 year career, he has hit 114 HR, 511 RBI, .264 BA with 102 SB.
Playing in Tampa certainly had dampened Zobrist's national reputation. But Billy Beane continues to find value in re-tolling his Oakland club for another post-season run in 2015, acquiring young talent like infielder Marcus Semien, which some scouts compare favorably to a young Zobrist.
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