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Ben Zobrist, Chicago Cubs agree to terms on 4-year, $56 million deal
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist.
Zobrist's deal is for four years and $56 million, sources told ESPN.com. It includes a no-trade clause.
The move reunites Zobrist, 34, with his former manager in Tampa Bay, Joe Maddon.
Zobrist was a key part of the Kansas City Royals' 2015 championship team. He batted .303 with two home runs, six RBIs, 15 runs scored and one stolen base as the team's No. 2 hitter throughout the postseason. He went 3-for-6 with two doubles in Game 1 of the World Series to set the tone early for Kansas City. He contributed two more doubles and scored two runs in Game 5 to help the Royals defeat the New York Mets and clinch their first title since 1985.
Kansas City acquired the switch-hitting Zobrist in a trade with the A's days before the July trade deadline. Prior to his stint in Oakland, the two-time All-Star had spent his entire nine-year career with the Rays. Zobrist's 2006 rookie year coincided with Maddon's first in Tampa Bay.
A versatile defender, Zobrist has seen significant playing time at several positions, including second base, shortstop and right field.
He is a career .265/.355/.431 hitter, and his .355 on-base percentage would have been tied with Kyle Schwarber for third on the Cubs last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He batted .276 with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs during the 2015 regular season, numbers that were on par with his career averages.
Zobrist is a native of Eureka, Illinois, which is located approximately 140 miles southwest of Chicago.
Zobrist's deal is for four years and $56 million, sources told ESPN.com. It includes a no-trade clause.
The move reunites Zobrist, 34, with his former manager in Tampa Bay, Joe Maddon.
Zobrist was a key part of the Kansas City Royals' 2015 championship team. He batted .303 with two home runs, six RBIs, 15 runs scored and one stolen base as the team's No. 2 hitter throughout the postseason. He went 3-for-6 with two doubles in Game 1 of the World Series to set the tone early for Kansas City. He contributed two more doubles and scored two runs in Game 5 to help the Royals defeat the New York Mets and clinch their first title since 1985.
Kansas City acquired the switch-hitting Zobrist in a trade with the A's days before the July trade deadline. Prior to his stint in Oakland, the two-time All-Star had spent his entire nine-year career with the Rays. Zobrist's 2006 rookie year coincided with Maddon's first in Tampa Bay.
A versatile defender, Zobrist has seen significant playing time at several positions, including second base, shortstop and right field.
He is a career .265/.355/.431 hitter, and his .355 on-base percentage would have been tied with Kyle Schwarber for third on the Cubs last season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He batted .276 with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs during the 2015 regular season, numbers that were on par with his career averages.
Zobrist is a native of Eureka, Illinois, which is located approximately 140 miles southwest of Chicago.
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