Cubs Trade Rumor: Ben Zobrist Back To Where It All Started?

Ben Zobrist was one of the few bright spots offensively for the 2018 Cubs, but he's been thrusted into trade rumors this offseason ahead of his final year under contract on the North Side. The soon to be 38-year-old is owed $12.5 million in 2019, is currently penciled in as the starting second baseman on Opening Day and could be a possible trade candidate for the Rays? You can't say this one completely came out of no where, because again speculation about trading Zobrist has been around for a couple months. Yet, the Rays trading for a guy at the end of his career, who's going to be making $12.5 million? Doesn't really align with Tampa Bay's history, but respected beat writer Marc Topkin threw it out as a possibility. Via the Tampa Bay Times.

If the Rays did want to add another proven bat, Ben Zobrist could be an intriguing, and quite popular, option in trade from the Cubs

As you know, Zobrist started his MLB career with the Rays and spent nine years playing for Tampa Bay. But does it make any sense for the Cubs to trade Zobrist? The only scenario it makes the Cubs better is if they can get a solid reliever under team control for a few more years AND if by moving Zobrist it then allows Tom Ricketts to stomach spending for Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. However, if it means affording Harper or Machado, then they don't need to get rid of Zobrist. They should be able to afford it no matter what. And yes, Zobrist is going to be 38-years-old, but aside from his injury-plagued 2017 season, when the Cubs for whatever reason pushed him to play on a severely injured wrist, his numbers have been consistent despite his age.

It's obviously fair to expect some regression for Zobrist in 2019, but even so he still projects to be an above average hitter. The Cubs kind of need as many solid bats in the lineup as possible. Zobrist is one of them. So no, there's really no scenario that trading Ben Zobrist makes the Cubs a lot better.