Awesome!

http://www.bleachernation.com/2015/12/0 ... n-zobrist/

According to multiple reports, the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a four-year deal with super-utility man Ben Zobrist. Although the terms are not out yet, I’d expect it to be upwards of $60 million or so.

We’ve been discussing this deal all even in relation to the attendant rumored trade of Starlin Castro, so you can see much more on Zobrist here. Although he’s now 34, Zobrist can still play all over and brings a well-above-average bat from both sides of the plate.

Zobrist is not tied to draft pick compensation, by the way.

Much more on this soon.

UPDATE: Reports have the deal at four years and $56 million. Given Zobrist’s value, a $14 million AAV is a fantastic deal, even at his age. We’ll now see how that impacts the rest of the offseason for the Cubs financially, but I suspect that, if they wind up moving Starlin Castro, they’ll still be able to be aggressive in the outfield.

UPDATE: An interesting provision, according to Jon Heyman, is that Zobrist has no-trade protection for the first three years of the deal.

4 years, $56 million.

Kinda would seem to put the kibosh on Heyward ... though this has to mean Castro is gone, and that would be a delight.

Still, yet another old guy added to the team.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN 21s21 seconds ago

Yankees and Cubs moving closing on a trade of Starlin Castro, according to sources.

_________________
Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Jeff Passan ‏@JeffPassan 7m7 minutes ago

Ben Zobrist is exactly what Cubs need: on-base skills, low Ks, versatility. Four years is hefty for a 34-year-old, but $14M/year palatable.

Zobrist for Castro is certainly an upgrade. Castro just seemed to have to many mental lapses. Can't happen when you expect to win.

Theo loves old dudes. This is JORR's chance for a comeback.

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Yeah. They needed the 27-32 year old Zobrist. They signed a 35,36,37 & 38 year old Zobrist.

CSN fella just said Castro is a Yankee.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

zobrist seems great on the surface but these old timers tend to fall off a cliff nowadays. should have a couple more years in him.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

on Morosi Retweeted
Joel Sherman ‏@Joelsherman1 3m3 minutes ago

Told that Castro to #Yankees has been agreed upon, but not finalized. Still medical review, etc. #Cubs

This isn't the steroid era. 35 is old again in MLB.

Exactly.

88 million for two guys over 34 years old. I guess this is the new going rate.

They are going for it.

Gotta have some vets that know how to win.

Can he pitch?

there are like four guys over 35 who can still hit. Papi, Aroid, Beltre, and some other guy I forget.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Agreed! This is fucking stupid.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

I don't understand it. I would rather have the decade younger and cheaper Castro.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

He's a winner ballplayer, a switch hitter, versatile, etc. plus Maddon won't run him into the ground.

I like the move especially given that he replaces Castro.

Will they now keep Baez???

That's what I was saying. Castro was under contract for a very reasonable deal. He's only 25. You throw big money at a guy in his late 30s to replace him? I think this is stupid.

A reasonable deal for a guy who would boot a ground ball with the game on the line.

Enjoy New York!

I don't like this at all.

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You know me like that.

He's 90. He's not worth the money. He's more expensive and a decade older than the player you traded away. Baez or Torres could fill that position at a fraction of the cost. I would have felt better if he gave this $90M to Price.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Replacing him is fine. I just think it's the wrong replacement because of age. Especially for the money they gave him.

I've always said that Theo and Co. never liked Starlin. This was their opportunity to get rid of him and get Joe's guy in here.

I seem to remember similar description when the Sox signed Keppinger.

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It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

I never understood the Zobrist fascination.

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You know me like that.

jooish.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

I understand the concerns but you gotta trust Maddon who managed Zobrist.

And they need to win the division to avoid the 1 game wild card trap.

Zobrist may only be good for 2 years as a regular but if that equals a world series championship, I will take it.