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The Cubs knew exactly what they got in Ben Zobrist when they signed him before the 2016 season. He was coming off a World Series win with the Kansas City Royals where he was known for his leadership in the clubhouse, his clutch-hitting, and his ability to play any position on the field. All throughout his first season with the Cubs, Zobrist showed off his value time and time again delivering clutch hit after clutch hit (Remember Game 7 of the World Series?) which was highlighted by being named MVP of the 2016 World Series.
2017 set itself up nicely to be Zobrist’s encore to an unforgettable 2016 season. What Zobrist got in 2017, however, was more of a nightmare.
Many Cubs player would struggle to follow up their 2016 season stats and Zobrist was no exception. His 2017 slash line was the lowest it had been in the past decade and he barely reached 100 hits which was shocking to see. His OBP in 2016 was .386, the second highest rate in his career, and it seemed that anytime you watched a Cubs game in 2016, Zobrist was somehow on base.
The 2017 version of Ben Zobrist featured an elevated K percentage paired with a low walk percentage which resulted in him being passed over for players like Javier Baez and Ian Happ.
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His lack of production, paired with injury, last season was the cause of Zobrist playing in only 128 games (another career low in the past decade). Cubs fans quickly grew frustrated with Zobrist’s bat and the lack of “flash” that his fellow second baseman, Javier Baez, brought to the table. He was also pushed by Ian Happ who came out of nowhere in 2017 and turned into another viable threat to take over full-time at second base. The young guns production on the field led to Zobrist playing in only 81 games at second in 2017 compared to playing 119 games at the same position in 2016.
Now that he’s going into year three of a four-year deal, Zobrist sees the writing on the wall. He’s a 36-year-old utility player who is being pushed out of the lineup by much younger players. However, for as bad as it seems to be Ben Zobrist right now, his value has already begun to show.
Most professional athletes would piss and moan about the possibility of not seeing the field but Zobrist has stayed true to his high character reputation when he was talking with reporters today.
Zobrist will do whatever #Cubs need. "I'm 36 now and I'm just trying to win championships at this point. It's not about what I'm trying to accomplish as an individual. Everybody wants to have great seasons. I told [Joe], 'Wherever you need me, I'm ready.'"
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 18, 2018
Telling Maddon to use him wherever had to be music to the Cubs manager’s ears. In my eyes, Zobrist is the odd man out in the talent-packed Cubs infield. It’s hard for anyone to argue that Javier Baez and Addison Russell should not be the Cubs everyday infield which would then relegate Zobrist to a corner spot in the outfield. Kyle Schwarber appears to be the Cubs everyday left fielder and Jason Heyward has five gold gloves so now we’re talking about one outfield spot left between Zobrist, Albert Almora Jr., and Ian Happ.
Sure there are other options for Zobrist. It was also reported today that both Zobrist and Happ would get some work in at first base to give Anthony Rizzo an occasional off-day or Maddon could always revisit playing Zobrist at third when he wants to give KB some time in the outfield. However, the regularity of either of those two options happening on a consistent basis is illogical.
Look, I LOVE Zobrist’s leadership and consistency he has shown he can bring to the table. I believe you need guys like Zobrist in the lineup as much as possible (See David Ross). However, even Zobrist himself believes he has to prove himself to get back to being an everyday player for the Cubs.
#Cubs Zobrist: "For me, last year was one of the most difficult seasons I've ever had as a player. I was even more excited to get into my offseason training and get back here and kind of prove I still have it and can do some of the things I've done before"
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 18, 2018
Every manager in the MLB would love to be in the position that Joe Maddon is in — having too much talent to choose from. By Zobrist being the leader that he is and accepting the “I’ll do whatever role,” he has allowed Joe Maddon to make the easy decision of solidifying the middle infield for the Cubs (Russell/Baez) so he can use Zobrist as the super-utility player that the Cubs signed before the 2016 season.
And for what it’s worth, I’ll bet Zobrist returns to his 2016 form this season which would then make Joe Maddon’s life a living hell.
