Now let's resume our discussion of Ben Zobrist

[Zvon]

Today's reports say that Zobrist will make his decision by Dec 10th. OOOOOooo, the drama.

[Centerfield]

Latest buzz has Zobrist coming out around $15 million per, for 4 years.

Sounds high, but I guess that's the going rate.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Mets Hot Stove yesterday reported that the Mets, Nationals, Dodgers, and Giants were in on Zobrist, and the Royals were out.

They didn't clearly state that the four teams listed are the only remaining contenders, but they may have been implying that. It's hard to say.

Either way, this is expected to be resolved within a week. I'm not sure how I'm rooting, but I think I'm slightly leaning towards hoping the Mets get him. It would give a big boost to the 2016 team. My main concerns are the possible effect on Dilson Herrera and, to a lesser extent, the impact on the 2019 payroll. (I'll be more concerned about that in 2019!)

[seawolf17]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: to a lesser extent, the impact on the 2019 payroll. (I'll be more concerned about that in 2019!)

But we'll be coming off three straight World Series trophies, so it'll be okay.

[Ceetar]

There's added value for the Mets to 'overpay' Zobrist a little more if the Nationals are the frontrunners for him. bigger swing.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Ya don't see Mets and overpay in the same sentence often.

[Ceetar]

d'Kong76 wrote: Ya don't see Mets and overpay in the same sentence often.

Michael Cuddyer? Chris Young?

[Guest Mets Willets Point]

d'Kong76 wrote: Ya don't see Mets and overpay in the same sentence often.

Unless it's referring to tickets, concessions, and souvenirs.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Ceetar wrote: d'Kong76 wrote: Ya don't see Mets and overpay in the same sentence often. Michael Cuddyer? Chris Young?

David Wright too.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Ya'll know what I mean.

[Benjamin Grimm]

New York Post wrote: The Mets have made their pitch to Ben Zobrist. The Post�s Mike Puma confirmed the team�s brass met with the free-agent utility man all day Wednesday and expect an answer soon. The visit included a tour of potential living spots in Westchester and Connecticut and a dinner with general manager Sandy Alderson and COO Jeff Wilpon, according to reports.

No word on whether or not, during the dinner, Jeff spoke "street Spanish."

[Benjamin Grimm]

Marc Carig, Newsday wrote: Versatile switch-hitter Ben Zobrist may have plenty of suitors. But the Mets are making it clear that they will be among the most aggressive. The Mets have not drawn any limit as far as a potential contract length for Zobrist, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. So, if he requires a four-year deal, the Mets are ready to offer it. Offering a fourth year represents a departure for the Mets under general manager Sandy Alderson. But with Zobrist, the willingness to offer one could to be a deciding factor in where he signs.

[Chad ochoseis]

I'm a recent convert to Zobrism. The Mets' biggest question marks are second base and - yes - third base. I have less cahnfidence in Wright's future effectiveness at third than I do in Flores' future effectiveness at short. And Herrera, of course, is not a proven major league starter. There's a fair chance that we'll need someone other than Wright or Herrera to start 120-140 games at one or the other of those two positions. So, bite the bullet and offer 4/60 for someone who should produce at an above average rate at either position.

And, if that doesn't work, Muffy is still available as a plan B.

[Benjamin Grimm]

There are 324 starts to be made between second and third base. If Zobrist makes 150 of them (let's say) that still leaves 174 starts to be split between Wright and Herrera. How that split would go remains to be seen, but I can see Herrera getting 50 or 60 starts. Or a lot more than that if things go badly with Wright. I guess my point is, the signing of Zobrist wouldn't necessarily mean that Herrera gets buried, even if Wright is mostly healthy.

[Edgy MD]

Chad, you have more confidence in Lagares 2016 than Wright 2016?

Youse guys seem to be forgetting that Tejada exists, leaving Flores plenty of opportunities for starts at second and/or third.

Matt Reynolds and Gavin Cecchini have a good chance to debut, also.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think that if the Mets sign Zobrist, he'll get starts at second and third, Herrera will get starts at second, Flores will get starts at shortstop and second, and Tejada will get starts at shortstop.

The proportions, of course, will be determined by a variety of factors.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

PSST! Zobrist also plays fine corner OF, passable short, a decent fake-y first, and a sweet dulcimer that'll break your heart, cowboys and cowgirls.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Can he core a apple?

[Centerfield]

I guess I'm torn on this move. I think the Mets biggest need is an impact bat, and that really can only be found in the OF. But as long as they get that, I'm ok if they get Zobrist.

So I'm good with Zobrist if this does not prevent the Mets from going out and getting Heyward/Upton.

But if it's either Zobrist or Heyward/Upton, then no to Zobrist. Let's try Herrerra. The outfield bat is more important. I'll be pissed if they get Zobrist then try to play it off as if they've drastically improved the offense.

But if no Zobrist means we are looking at Asdrubal Cabrera and Gerardo Parra, then I'm hoping they get Zobrist.

I don't know if that makes sense. It makes sense in my mind.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Centerfield wrote: So I'm good with Zobrist if this does not prevent the Mets from going out and getting Heyward/Upton.

Oh, that's adorable.

[Frayed Knot]

Davidoff makes the 'Go For It!' case.

Winter Meetings start today in Nashville, TN -- conveniently near Zobrist's hometown -- and he could very well make a decision by the time things break up on Thursday. Is also meeting with the Giants & Nats amongst others.

[Benjamin Grimm]

It sounds like the Mets are on board with the fourth year, and they seem to want him pretty badly. My hunch is that Zobrist will be a Met within a week. (My caveat here is that I don't know if any of the other remaining teams in the mix want him as badly as the Mets do.)

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: Davidoff makes the 'Go For It!' case. Winter Meetings start today in Nashville, TN -- conveniently near Zobrist's hometown -- and he could very well make a decision by the time things break up on Thursday. Is also meeting with the Giants & Nats amongst others.

The reason Ben Zobrist is a perfect fit for the Mets is because he's a big enough name, people saw him perform well in the World Series, and the Mets can land him without having to make a big financial commitment. In other words, he is just good enough to pass off as a justification of their failure to get an impact bat.

In fact, Zobrist is a nice player, and we are getting him during his decline years. But he has just enough fame to save face for the Wilpons.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Centerfield wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Davidoff makes the 'Go For It!' case. Winter Meetings start today in Nashville, TN -- conveniently near Zobrist's hometown -- and he could very well make a decision by the time things break up on Thursday. Is also meeting with the Giants & Nats amongst others. The reason Ben Zobrist is a perfect fit for the Mets is because he's a big enough name, people saw him perform well in the World Series, and the Mets can land him without having to make a big financial commitment. In other words, he is just good enough to pass off as a justification of their failure to get an impact bat. In fact, Zobrist is a nice player, and we are getting him during his decline years. But he has just enough fame to save face for the Wilpons.

I agree he's a nice player and it's likely that if he signs we're getting him near the end of his good-player lifecycle. But the rest of this is overstated, he's a very useful guy for the Mets right now and I'm not at all panicked that they've made him the target.

I have lots of reservations on Cespedes, plus I hate him for fucking up the World Series, and while Heyward would be a good player he could complicate things inasmuch as we already have 4 outfielders under contract for next year. Not saying they couldn't make something of that situation, but would definitely require more than a few subsequent moves and his acquisition alone wouldn;t provide the kind of versatility they appear to be going for. IOW, if they went and got him they'd still need to get a Zobrist, whereas the reverse isn't necessarily true.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think that the botched fly ball that turned into an inside-the-park homer in the first inning of the first World Series game that Cespedes ever played in is a giant red flag.

If he's playing half-assed in that situation, how is he going to be playing several years down the road when he's fat and happy with his huge contract.

The Mets had Cespedes for what will probably be the best two months of his career. Good for them! But committing to him for the next seven years is potentially a huge mistake. Let some other team make that mistake.

[Ceetar]

I still put some blame on Conforto for that ISTP too.

[Centerfield]

I hear what you are saying about Cespedes. I still think he would be worth it. But I also think Heyward works the best.

Heyward allows you to platoon Granderson and Lagares. Curtis had a great year last year, but is a strong candidate for falloff. You can off-set that by platooning them. Heyward plays every day, either RF or CF depending on who else is playing.

If you sign Kelly Johnson, you get your flexibility. Also, you move Cuddyer to backup 1B/3B. Herrera is your starting second baseman.

I think Heyward will be better than Zobrist. I think Herrera will be better than Lagares. And I think Cuddyer/Johnson provide your flexibility.

[Ceetar]

Kelly Johnson kinda sucks though. Herrara is a complete wild card (And Flores might not be a good SS) and if you're not trusting Cuddyer in the OF mix, he's not a candidate for long-stretch David Wright replacement either, which might be something they should factor in.

[Gwreck]

I agree, they should sign both Heyward and Zobrist

[Centerfield]

Gwreck wrote: I agree, they should sign both Heyward and Zobrist