Zobrist to Cubs, 4 years, $56 million

[trwi7]

@Ken_Rosenthal

 

Source: Zobrist in agreement with #Cubs on four-year, $56M contract, pending a physical.

 

 

Wonder where they plan on playing him.

[bill hAll Star]

They are going to be trading Starlin very soon (tonight) so he'll have some playing time opened up.

[bill hAll Star]

This seems absurd, though. He had a good year, but he could fall off a cliff any year now. Turns 35 early this season.

[MrTPlush]

Starlin Castro is as good as gone. Quite the deal for a 34 year old I will say though.

[Matt Breen]

Four years is kind of crazy, but Zobrist is a nice fit in their line up. He's a patient hitter who will geton base. Cubs need that.

 

Defensive metrics were down last year on Zobrist. In the past, he has garnered a lot of value from his defense, so if that falters in the field (which wouldn't be a surprise for a guy in his mid-30s), he might have trouble earning his paycheck.

 

But good for Zobrist. I like the guy - plays hard, does a lot of the little things well.

[3and2Fastball]

Plus side: tremendous veteran leadership on a young team. Has played for Maddon before. Versatility plays into Maddon's style of managing in the NL. High OBP and a solid 2B as Addison Russell moves to SS

 

Negative Side: hard to imagine a 35 year old middle infielder holding up physically for the life of the 4 year contract

[1992casey]

The Castro trade has apparently gone down, so we can now continue that aspect of this discussion in this thread:

 

Starlin Castro to the Yankees

[502 to Right]

If I'm a Cubs fan I'm glad that Starlin Castro is gone. Drunk and immature is no way go through the major leagues. But I figured they would fill 2B with Javier Baez. I don't get expending 4/56 on a 35 year old when you have a premium young player already on the roster.

[Matt Breen]

If I'm a Cubs fan I'm glad that Starlin Castro is gone. Drunk and immature is no way go through the major leagues. But I figured they would fill 2B with Javier Baez. I don't get expending 4/56 on a 35 year old when you have a premium young player already on the roster.

Don't be suprised if Baez is traded as well. Zobrist slides in at 2B full time.

 

Tampa was talking to the Cubs about Baez for pitching - so that might still be coming.

[jerichoholicninja]

No need to trade Baez. Maddon plays guys all over the place. Zobrist will play 2B, 3B, and corner OF. With all the moving around Baez is going to get 400ish AB's.