Ben Zobrist decision is coming soon — Mets free agency

With an average salary of roughly $34.4 million a year, the 32-year-old Greinke now stands alone as the highest-paid player in baseball history on a per-season basis. He also is a threat on the bases, and the Mets do not have many base stealers. In 2015, those five pitchers earned a combined total of around $2.5 million. Ricco suggested the Mets are comfortable that Zobrist will age well. However, with Zobrist’s varied skill set and team president Andrew Friedman’s familiarity with him from their days together in Tampa, it is no surprise that they are at least expressing some interest in him.

Late last week, after Zobrist visited the Mets, it was reported that they were willing to offer him a fourth year in order to finalize a potential deal. “To the extent that we do take some risks, it would be with that in mind and probably viewed as more worthwhile than if we were further away”. If not, where will he be for the 2016-2017 season? DeGrom and Wheeler become eligible for arbitration after 2017, and suddenly, the Mets’ rotation will start to become cost-prohibitive.

“Whether we have a specific meeting to talk about Cespedes, I’m not sure”, Ricco said.

In addition, Ricco said the Mets “certainly have a level in mind as to where we think the value is”.

Jeff Curry/USA Today Sports The versatile veteran could give the Mets exactly what they need. Not one of those players appears to be an option for the Mets, however.

“He does keep himself in shape”, Ricco said.

“Those everyday guys aren’t as attractive to us”, Ricco said. “They’re large. Now they’re larger”. But you never know how the market is going to develop. But the Mets realize they can’t predict what will happen then.

It’s a drag because Zobrist fits the team so well. While it is possible Wilpon is there to represent the team in Alderson’s stead, he didn’t accompany the Mets’ contingent when Alderson had to miss the General Manager’s Meetings due to a medical procedure.

That Zobrist agreed to a recruiting trip to the Bay Area after playing 67 games for the A’s last season (while living near Ghirardelli Square) seemed curious, especially when he knew the Giants’ need was in the outfield. 288 to Zobrist’s.265. But Zobrist’s walk rate is 12 percent compared to Murphy’s 6 percent. “From our perspective that’s a great fit and kind of lines up with what he’s looking for”. “I think yes. But, again, that’s really in his hands, and I don’t want to speak for him”. Zobrist is said to be hopeful in having a decision by the end of the week.

According to multiple reports, Zobrist will be at the Winter Meetings on Tuesday and will meet with the Nationals. They also highlighted the merits of a veteran-laden clubhouse, which could ease some of the expectations that would come attached with a major free-agent deal. But if they wind up with a ring before that happens-and before they have to break up this pitching staff-it won’t matter one bit.