Rosenthal: Zobrist is Mets No. 1 target, Braves also interested
Super-utilityman Ben Zobrist is a wanted man this offseason and the one team has apparently made him their top target.
According to FOX Sports insider Ken Rosenthal, the market for Zobrist will develop soon and the New York Mets are very interested:
Zobrist #Mets’ No. 1 target, sources say. #Nationals also in, along with #Braves, #SFGiants, others. #Royals not expected to offer same $$$.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 29, 2015
Of course, just because one team has a player atop their wish list, doesn't mean they are close to signing.
As Rosenthal goes on to note, the Atlanta Braves are keeping tabs on Zobrist, but their interest in him stems from a leadership perspective:
#Braves’ interest in Zobrist apparently stems from desire for him to serve as model for younger players as they enter new ballpark in ’17.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 29, 2015
It's been reported that as many as 20 teams are in the mix for the 34-year-old, so the rebuilding Braves seem like a tough sell to a player that might want to win now.
Zobrist spent the first nine seasons of his career in Tampa Bay before being traded twice within seven months: first to the Oakland Athletics prior to the 2015 season, then again at the trade deadline to the Kansas City Royals.
Overall in 2015, Zobrist slashed .276/.359/.450 and struck out a career-low 56 times (min. 100 games).
