Next Move?

Heyward said:
Ken Rosenthal‏@Ken_Rosenthal

#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

“…in the short- and long-term. Ben Zobrist brings so much to the table on and off the field that he could help all 30 teams.”
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Veteran leadership can come a lot cheaper than what Zobrist will get. Besides, we already have Neck and Anthony. This is exactly the kind of inexplicable band-aid move that I've been hoping they wouldn't make.

I'm not terribly worried about him landing in ATL, since Zobrist can essentially write his own ticket.
 
I think Zobrist makes alot of sense. The FO really wanna compete in 2017 when the park opens. Next year's FA crop sucks, so spending this offseason makes alot of sense. If we did move Olivera back to 3b and signed Zobrist for 2b then our infield doesn't look as bad. Trade one of Teheran or Miller for a guy like Soler and we could be respectable next year with a chance to be alot better in 2017 when our guys get closer to the big leagues.
 
Julio3000 said:
Veteran leadership can come a lot cheaper than what Zobrist will get. Besides, we already have Neck and Anthony. This is exactly the kind of inexplicable band-aid move that I've been hoping they wouldn't make.

I'm not terribly worried about him landing in ATL, since Zobrist can essentially write his own ticket.
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I dont disagree, but what else can we spend it on.

And next years FA class sucks.

I think he goes to the Mets anyway though.
 
Hudson2 said:
I think Zobrist makes alot of sense. The FO really wanna compete in 2017 when the park opens. Next year's FA crop sucks, so spending this offseason makes alot of sense. If we did move Olivera back to 3b and signed Zobrist for 2b then our infield doesn't look as bad. Trade one of Teheran or Miller for a guy like Soler and we could be respectable next year with a chance to be alot better in 2017 when our guys get closer to the big leagues.
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I think the thing about Zobrist is that he will always be in demand (unless he totally loses it). Unlike Markakis, I think Zobrist could easily be flipped at any point during a reasonable contract. The question is, why would Zobrist sign with someone where his trade value is just as important as his on-field value. This is probably Zobrist's last big contract, so unless the Braves go way up in terms of dollars, why would he sign with them.
 
I can't imagine the interest is being reciprocated by Zobrist, but Lester was at least somewhat interested last winter so ya never know. Now that he's got a ring, at least that doesn't have to be the deciding factor.

He actually makes all the sense in the world if you really think about it - he could be a bridge at several different positions, and could shift to a different one if/when prospects prove ready. As currently constructed, I'd imagine we'd play him at 3B. If there's anything to the whispers that Baltimore's interested in a reunion, he could then move to RF. If Aybar were moved he could slide in at SS. And yes, if Peterson struggles, he plays 2B.

He's actually almost a perfect fit here, but I personally don't think anyone's getting him without guaranteeing that 4th year. I'd do it, but am probably in the minority. Even without big power, he and Aybar would be huge offensive upgrades, and if Olivera and Garcia somehow could hit 15+ bombs each, this team would be much more exciting for the fans than last year.

SS- Aybar, LF- Olivera, 1B- Freeman, C- Pierzynski, 2B- Zobrist, 3B- Garcia, RF- Markakis, CF- Bourn

There's a whole lot more opportunities to "keep the line moving" than with last year's group. No doubt it would still be so much easier to balance the lineup if you KNEW Olivera or Garcia could give you 20 bombs so one could hit behind Freddie.
 
Zobrist was below-average defensively at 2B last year. And he has pretty much solely played LF in the outfield the last several years. There is virtually no chance of him playing SS or RF for an extended period of time.
 
Julio3000 said:
Veteran leadership can come a lot cheaper than what Zobrist will get. Besides, we already have Neck and Anthony.

I'm not terribly worried about him landing in ATL, since Zobrist can essentially write his own ticket.
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Right. We want these kids to follow AJ's lead. The rest, as I explained to my seventh grader before the reproductive health unit, they can learn on the streets like it's been done for generations.
 
If you were Zobrist, why wouldn't you sign with the Braves? Sign a nice 3-4 year deal, and then get traded to a contender at the deadline. Pretty much guaranteed to be with a playoff team by the end of the season. Seems like a pretty sweet set up to me.
 
Enscheff said:
If you were Zobrist, why wouldn't you sign with the Braves? Sign a nice 3-4 year deal, and then get traded to a contender at the deadline. Pretty much guaranteed to be with a playoff team by the end of the season. Seems like a pretty sweet set up to me.
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that is my thought.. If I were a FA, I would be all over signing with a bad team.. let them know straight away that I am ok with being trade in July too.. That way I know I am going to be in the playoff picture. I would even sign for less, so I don't get all Cano'd and be stuck in a situation I didn't like.
 
smootness said:
Zobrist was below-average defensively at 2B last year. And he has pretty much solely played LF in the outfield the last several years. There is virtually no chance of him playing SS or RF for an extended period of time.
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The point is that he gives you an option there if you had to use him. Would it be the best option? Obviously not.

Not meant to be a shot at you in particular smootness, but a lot of people have to get used to the fact that anyone signed (or traded for) isn't going to check off all the boxes - especially considering the Braves aren't going to play at the top of the market. You can find holes in those guys if you want to as well. Zobrist is BY FAR the best super-utility bat available, and you could argue that his bat would be an upgrade at every position we might choose to play him.

The goal is to make the team better than it was in 2015. Zobrist (as well as many others) would certainly help with that.
 
clvclv said:
The point is that he gives you an option there if you had to use him. Would it be the best option? Obviously not.

Not meant to be a shot at you in particular smootness, but a lot of people have to get used to the fact that anyone signed (or traded for) isn't going to check off all the boxes - especially considering the Braves aren't going to play at the top of the market. You can find holes in those guys if you want to as well. Zobrist is BY FAR the best super-utility bat available, and you could argue that his bat would be an upgrade at every position we might choose to play him.

The goal is to make the team better than it was in 2015. Zobrist (as well as many others) would certainly help with that.
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Yeah, I understand this...but playing him at a position like SS would significantly hurt his value. His defense there would likely be severely below-average.

I'm not saying we shouldn't sign him or that it's a major issue that his defense has slipped and he now seems confined to being an average or worse 2B defensively; I'm just saying that we still can't throw him wherever we want just because his offense is pretty good.
 
Zobrist is exactly the incorrect age for us to be interested in... If he falls off a cliff and we get stuck with him... We will have to package Fried + to get rid of him!
 
Tapate50 said:
Zobrist is exactly the incorrect age for us to be interested in... If he falls off a cliff and we get stuck with him... We will have to package Fried + to get rid of him!
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There is some risk, but I'm not sure it's all that high. Best-case scenario, he comes out of the gate red hot like he finished last year and we can sell him for a pretty good package. Worst-case scenario, we eat his contract the next couple years when we're not that good and then have to deal with it in 2018 and 2019 when we're trying to build; that's certainly not a good scenario, but as a worst-case it's not all that bad. And the most likely scenario is that he continues to be about an .800 OPS guy with roughly average defense and we can still sell him for a decent package.
 
There are some parallels and differences between Zobrist and Markakis.

Similarities: 1) Both are looking for a fourth season in their contract and other teams are reluctant to go beyond three. We might get Zobrist if we add that fourth year. 2) Both have injury issues that may be holding down their markets. Markakis had the need for neck surgery. Zobrist is coming off a season where his availability and defensive play were affected by a knee operation. 3) Neither signing costs a draft pick.

Differences: 1) Markakis hit free agency after his age 30 season. Zobrist just completed his age 34 season. 2) Zobrist has been the more productive player by a significant margin. 3) Zobrist gives you a lot more defensive versatility, which is an element of a player's value that I don't think metrics like WAR fully reflect. 4) As a switch hitter who is better from the right side, Zobrist would provide some balance to a lineup that leans strongly left.
 
He is probably holding out for a 4th year, but I think he will end up signing with whichever team gives him the best 4th year option terms.
 
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