Is Ben Zobrist on the Trade Block?
Hey, there very well could be a thousand reasons for Ben Zobrist to not be in camp. I’m not going to speculate about someone’s personal life or family, but we could all imagine a number of factors that could keep him from camp.
Just a month ago, there was some buzz about the Cubs discussing Zobrist in some trades. The talk had gotten so loud that Ben, himself, spoke about them.
“I’ve heard a few things, but I don’t pay a lot of attention to it,” he said. “I know the team has a tough job in the offseason especially the front office trying to figure out the right pieces to put in place for the next season. I trust them that they are wise and shrewd businessmen and going to make the right decision based on the amount of money that they have. They have proven that over the last few years and the way that they have taken care of the team.”
“I am one of the pawns,” he said. “You kinda recognize where you are at as a player, and you own it. I don’t have a no-trade clause at this point so I could be traded. I am not going to give it too much thought. I’m thinking more about preparing myself for the upcoming season and connecting with my teammates.”
“I don’t have a no-trade clause at this point, so I could be traded,” Zobrist acknowledged.
But, if the Chicago Cubs are actively discussing a Zobrist trade, and are deep in a conversation, could explain his absence.
Zobrist is in the final year of a four-year, $56 million deal, which looks like $14 million towards the team’s Competitive Balance Tax number. Moving most, or all would place the Cubs around $212 million and just $6 million above the $206 million threshold. 
This would eliminate the additional 12% surcharge for the 2019 season, and reduce the overall tax from $4.3 million to around $1.2 million.
The move would also give the Cubs some flexibility come July’s trade deadline, allowing for deals to be made without looking at that 12% surcharge. With a $14 million buffer, that’s around the same number the organization has gone into the last two seasons. The difference, this season it’s a buffer from the second threshold and not the tax itself.
There were some rumblings that the Tampa Bay Rays had interest in Zobrist. They value a veteran bat, and in a division that is very top heavy, the Rays could be a veteran away from sneaking into a Wild Card spot.
There have been hints throughout the offseason about a trade that would shed salary. Jason Heyward’s name popped up, even the bravest of souls suggested that Tyler Chatwood could be moved. But Heyward or Chatwood would certainly require some creative measures resulting in the Cubs assuming a large portion of their salary. Looking around the diamond, Zobrist is the likeliest to be moved simply because he’s the easiest to move.
Could the idea of saving $17 million ($14 million salary and $3 million in tax hits) be cause enough to move Zobrist?
I don’t know. With Zobrist on the club, they don’t have a leadoff hitter and Zobrist can at least give you a professional at bat from that spot. But he is also a $14 million luxury (his actual salary is $12.5 million in 2019) without a position. Javier Baez is the likely starter at second, after Addison Russell returns. We’ve heard how Ian Happ wants some reps at 2B, David Bote, while a third baseman, will see time at second. Then the club went out and acquired Daniel Descalso in the offseason as well. They don’t *have* to trade Zobrist, but if they did there are several guys on the roster that allow for him to be expendable.
Or perhaps one of his kids has the flu and he’s taking an extra couple days…?
