Veteran utilityman Ben Zobrist is not planning to play in the current season, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). While nothing seems to have been set in stone, it now appears unlikely that the 38-year-old will resume his career.
This is hardly a surprising outcome given the course of the 2019 season. Zobrist took time away from the Cubs to deal with family matters, sacrificing some of his salary in the final season of his $64MM deal. When he was available, Zobrist generally struggled.
The switch-hitting, do-it-all performer didn’t lose his impeccable plate discipline last year, as he drew 23 walks against 24 strikeouts in 176 plate appearances. But his power all but disappeared, as he managed only six extra-base hits and a .313 slugging percentage to go with his .358 OBP.
If indeed this is the end of the line, Zobrist will finish with a .266/.357/.426 lifetime triple-slash — which works out to a 116 wRC+. He added big value with his multi-positional defensive acumen and quality baserunning, leaving him with a tally of 44.4 fWAR and 45.2 rWAR over his 14 campaigns in the majors.
Along the way, Zobrist played a pivotal role in redefining the way teams build their rosters. He was an everyday player in Tampa Bay, appearing in 153 games annually between 2009 and 2014 with the Rays, but he moved all over the field. That helped the creative organization find more ways to utilize platoons and achieve small advantages, a strategy that has since expanded, dovetailed with other trends, and turned into a rather normal occurrence around the game.
Of course, few if any super-utility types have anything approaching Zobrist’s ability with the bat and glove. In his best season, 2009, Zobrist ran up a monster 152 wRC+ and 8.7 fWAR. That sort of ability made his early-career extension one of the game’s most valuable contracts for a stretch. He was a hotly pursued trade commodity in advance of his final of team control, when he moved to the Athletics and then on to the Royals for the K.C. World Series run. And Zobrist drew interest from many clubs in the ensuing winter, ultimately landing with the Cubs on a four-year deal — a remarkable pact given that he was heading into his age-35 season.
It seems the Chicago stint will prove a finishing act for Zobrist. He struggled in 2017 and 2019, but was an All-Star for the third time in 2016. Zobrist not only helped the Cubbies reach the World Series, but took home the MVP award for his big role in helping the club end the curse. He was again a strong performer in 2018, easily justifying the club’s overall investment.
If this is it for Zobrist, then MLBTR offers a tip of the cap for an excellent career.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Web
Another reason why a prostitute is the way to go
NickTheDev
You realize he did not cheat on his wife right? She was the cheater…
cookmeister 2
In his defense, there are male prostitutes
NickTheDev
So how is that a solution to this problem? And I don’t really see why you would have to pay a random male for sex when there are millions willing for free. So dumb.
Rangers29
So this is how people go from talking about baseball to male prostitution… huh
Phanatic 2022
You don’t pay for sex you pay for them to leave 🙂
live42day
You pay for them to leave. That’s on point 94yankees. That made me smile not that I would ever pay for anyone to leave besides my ex.
I ❤ Sports
You know two things that go hand in hand
male > gutter
casejud
because they keep their mouths shut
RunDMC
You realize they’re talking about choosing transactional romance over a committed relationship.
antibelt
Uh, Reese McGuire was arrested for getting a bj in a parking lot yesterday. Lol.
padreforlife
Who?
antibelt
Lol Catcher for the Blue Jays.
Taejonguy
yep, someone saw Reese’s pieces
nymetsking
lol
tiredolddude
Not sorry!
chesteraarthur
No one said to do it in public
Eatdust666
Wow, just wow.
WillieMaysHayes24
Chef:
A prostitute is someone who will love you
No matter who you are or what you look like
Yes, it’s true children!
But that’s not why you pay a prostitute
No you don’t pay her to stay, you pay her to leave afterwards
That’s why I praise the Lord for prostitutes!
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. James Taylor!
James Taylor:
A prostitute is like any other woman
They all trade something for sex, and they do it well
Chef:
And that’s why I say
Chef & James Taylor:
Prostitutes! Prostitutes!
padreforlife
James Taylor who got a friend said that?
tiredolddude
Damn. He really has seen fire and he’s seen rain
jekporkins
“I don’t pay prostitutes for sex. I pay prostitutes to leave.” – Charlie Sheen
TheTrotsky
This is why MLBTR closes comment sections.
Rangers29
Exactly @TheTrotsky
JaysForDays
…and this is the result. So #%@# censorship already.
DarkSide830
Zo would be pretty ticked to be told that but equally as classy to not slap you for saying that.
VegasSDfan
I’m not convinced this is a crime he will be convicted of. The charges will be dropped, similar to how his pants had been.
ASapsFables
Goofs like you are the reason that MLBTR has closed comments on many of their articles. Way to go for tarnishing an article about a solid player who has a higher degree of morality than most of us posting here.
chicagofan1978
Amen
iamhector24
Lolol
wordonthestreet
Boy Web you really have no clue
mebcrn78
No need to be rude.
Kingofallmagic
Don’t go big Ben. Theo and Jed you need to get this guy some kind of league minimum contract right now. Pocketful of performance incentives to.
dray16
NO
pt57
Can’t be any worse than Kipnis or Delasco.
ChiSox_Fan
He doesn’t want to play.
Just craves attention!
I ❤ Sports
He was tired of the Cubs
Rangers29
He’s not planning to play in 20′, it never said he retired, so who’s to say he’s just not playing this year to get his family stuff sorted out? He can still put in practice and work, but it just clearly doesn’t specify that he is “retiring”. If he is retiring though, the game is better with him in it, and I hate to see him go.
Sheep8
He will forever be loved in Chicago for his oppo double and subsequent leap into second
ChiSox_Fan
Zobrist didn’t really play in 2019 either.
If his head isn’t into the game, retire already!
drewskis86
we’ve been saying that to the white sox front office for over a decade now!
Taximan
I’ve always wondered what Information Kenny Williams has on Jerry
bucknerkingmansutter
Congrats on being the biggest jag bag on this entire site.
Rich Hill’s Elbow
If you take his health into consideration, this actually might pay dividends in terms of performance if he does decide to return in 2021.
Ejemp2006
He’s 38 bro. It’s the end of the line.
rxbrgr
He’s eager for the unchained bachelor life! Goodbye Chicago, hello Vegas!
RunDMC
He couldn’t be any worse than Pete the Pilot, so by all means.
paindonthurt
If he doesn’t play he’s retried. I don’t see a comeback at 40.
Rangers29
Ironically he’d have to retry playing baseball if he doesn’t play this season.
antibelt
*retire
BasedBallGuru
He signed a surprisingly big 4 year deal despite being nearly 35.
Hey Josh Donaldson got a a surprisingly large 4 year contract at that age this off-season.
How interesting.
I’m sure that wont end up being just as horrible an idea for a team thats only strength before that signing was middle-aged sluggers…..
mohoney
Donaldson also upgrades the infield defense, as Miguel Sano is a fire hydrant
JoeBrady
Unfortunately, Zobrist served as a model for GMs that just wanted to copy the Cubs.
Colorado signed Desmond. Then realized they had no position for him. So they platooned him with Parra, who himself cost $10M, and platooned him at 1B, even though he had a SS’s bat.
That worked out so well, the NYMs signed Lowrie. Even though they were paying huge bucks for their 2B, and even though they were flooded with corner outfielders.
coldbeer
Sounds like Reese McGuire is also not planning on playing in 2020.
AtlSoxFan
Things change. You can be on the fence and change your mind last minute.
That’s ok, and it’s his contract, his career, his right.
By part of you wishes he made this decision/announcement 3 or 4 weeks ago when he could’ve freed up some cash for the cubs to invest on the roster.
His teammates and fans really would’ve appreciated that.
terry g
You do realize he’s a free agent and not playing this year frees up nothing for the Cubs.
AtlSoxFan
Somehow I thought he had one more season left, my bad.
stevebaratta
Freed up what cash? His contract was through last season. This Cub fan wishes him well, thanks for 2016.
ABCD
Actually, Kimbrel was signed with the 2019 money that they would have been paying Zo if he didn’t go on the restricted list.
Zo and Lester are Theo’s good major free agency signings (3+ years, >$30 million).
Bad ones:
Edwin Jackson
Jason Heyward (not a bad player, though. Just paid way too much.)
Incomplete:
Tyler Chatwood (looking bad)
Yu Darvish (could go either way)
Craig Kimbrel (looking bad)
Major two-year signings:
John Lackey (okay)
Brandon Morrow (not good, but maybe he makes up for it this year)
geg42
He was a 6th round pick. His career defied expectations.
jabl
Hope he has potential as a tv analyst for a team or network in the future.
Rallyshirt
For the record, was Maddon’s contract with the Cubs contingent on Zobrist’s inclusion, or did they deal for Zobrist and Maddon followed?
Ry.the.Stunner
Maddon started managing the Cubs in 2015. The Cubs didn’t sign Zobrist until 2016.
ASapsFables
Yes. Ben Zobrist signing as a free agent with the Cubs on December 8th of 2015 was actually contingent on Theo Epstein trading Starlin Castro which he did on the same day. Zobrist wanted to play 2B as his primary position after finishing the 2015 season there on the Royals World Series championship team. The Cubs were transitioning rookie Addison Russell from 2B to their full time SS in 2016 after he was their primary 2B in 2015. They were also expecting Javier Baez to assume more regular playing time in the infield which left veteran SS Castro as the odd man out.
Zobrist was not only replacing Castro on the Cubs roster for 2016 and beyond. They also wanted to shed the last 4 years of Castro’s 7yrs./$60MM contract extension to accommodate the new 4yrs./$56MM FA deal given to Zobrist.
Cubfan Mike
Thanks for the world series MVP 2016. Your double and rbi in game 7 in the 10th inning will always live on.
padreforlife
2 WS titles not bad
FattKemp
Softest player I remember in a minute. “Hey I have to leave, I’m getting divorced.”
Roll
i disagree Carl Pavano hurt his butt and missed half the season if not more for the yankees.
FattKemp
Hahahahaha I had forgotten about Pavano.
Eatdust666
Gave him 4 years/$40 million with the expectation that he would he be a top of the rotation pitcher, if not the ace, yet he lasted just 3 seasons, 9-8 record, 5.00 ERA in 26 games, all starts.
budtaff
American Idle
mike127
Or strongest player ever… “I have kids and a family to take care of. Please use $9M as you see fit. When I take care of things, I may be back.”
hammer_time24
Now this is the right way to look at things.
ASapsFables
Kudos to Ben Zobrist for a great career if this is indeed the end of it. That said, he wasn’t the first versatile player or super-sub in MLB. He was preceded more recently by the likes of Tony Phillips, Jose Valentin and Chone Figgins to name a few. It is a more pressing need now with 13 pitchers on most MLB active rosters. Thank goodness that number will be capped at 13 with the new active rosters being expanded to 26 beginning this season.
groundhog5150
If you see a Jiffy Lube sign at a strip mall and you pull up to it without knowing what service they offer, bad things will happen.
JaysForDays
This is what happens when you turn off commenting on The appropriate thread…. reach arounds…i mean, work arounds. Stop being lame, trade rumors. High five Reece!
gobears
Ben,
Thank you for helping to bring a championship to the Cubs!
You are a Cubs legend for life!
Enjoy your family
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Greatest opposite field down the line double in cubs history. Greatest go ahead rbi ever. Against a very tough pitcher.
Everyone played a huge role in game 7.
Fowler with a leadoff homerun. Schwarber with the base hit. Almora tagging up on a long fly ball by KB. The IBB to Rizzo. Zo’s 2B. IBB to Russell. RBI single Miguel Montero.
Two pitches Mike Montgomery vs Michael Martinez.
The gresdt 5-3 groundout of all time.
Bonus David Ross his last hit ever a home run. Carried off the field
Bill Murray trying to steal Zo’s corvette.
thebirdisstilltheword
Screw the stupidity on this thread.
Zo was a class act with the Cubs from Day 1 and we would still be on the outside looking in without his monster 2016. Best of luck in whatever you choose to pursue next, Zorilla!!
Eatdust666
Good career
jorge78
He received a 56 million dollar contract from the Cubs, not 64…..
rycm131
Join the club BZ
Roasted DNA
I bet the last time she sang the National Anthem at the Trop finally drove Ben insane.
He had a great career – getting traded to the Rays was a Godsend.