Ben Zobrist

Can we please trade for Ben Zobrist? It'll end our shortstop woes for the next decade, and well, it's just be awesome. Have you convinced?

5 months ago aet15 7 comments 0 recs |

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He has been talked about before, and was definitely in the mix among some VEBers before the K Greene signing. But his versatility then (more OF experience than INF) was not a significant plus {who would have thought that we would be looking for OF help?… and with Rasmus getting his chance, Dunc staying healthy, and if Luddy and Ank return to form soon, we STILL don’t} and still isn’t. Unless you rate highly LaRussa’s adoration of multiple position players.
There are some plusses: some power potential at the plate, and his career K rate of .184 isn’t awful (somewhat better than K Greene’s rate of .210)
But if you are touting his as a regular SS, you have to be concerned with a career BA of only .231 and a feeble OBP of .297 {Greene .246/.303}. Your argument must be along the lines of..“given a regular chance” at SS he will blossom and improve ?
Maybe so, maybe not. But given that we would have to give something up to get him in a trade… and seeing the fine back-up fielding of Ryan and T Greene at the shortstop spot… and given the reasonable hope that Khalil will, after all, eventually start producing numbers like his ‘07 year… then:
to make the case for acquiring Zobrist,… Lucy, you got some ’splainin’ to do.

by the Tewk on May 22, 2009 5:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He's never

really had regular playing time in the majors, and he’s often been a victim of being sent up and down. It’s always tough to produce in that scenario.

I dare you to argue with these minor league stats (as a shortstop compared to our other). Take note of his BB: K rate.

This is why we liked him before the Greene trade. The kid is begging to bust out, but he’s never really been given a chance.

On with the (good) youth movement!

by aet15 on May 22, 2009 7:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

His hitting looks excellent for a shortstop. However, his defense is a seriously problem. He has a career -11.3 UZR/150 in nearly 1000 innings. I would call him a 3 WAR player at best, which is very good, but not much better than what Tyler Greene could do with a full seasons worth of at bats. Also, the price would be really, really steep to get Zobrist.

St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008

by vivaelpujols on May 22, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We could always make him a second baseman.

Put skip back in the outfield, and trade away one of our injury-prone, talented outfielders for some pitching.

But yeah, I know his price would be high. Well, actually, it might not . . . they seemed pretty convinced that he’s a utility player . . . for some very odd reason.

On with the (good) youth movement!

by aet15 on May 22, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs