Joe Maddon and Ben Zobrist Reunited With Cubs

With his outfield ability, the Cubs may also choose to go a different path, perhaps looking at Zobrist as an outfield fit, which could realign trade talks toward outfielder Jorge Soler, and in that case, would also most likely take the Cubs out of the running for free agent Jason Heyward.

Announced on Tuesday, Zobrist’s deal is for four years, it’s worth $56 million, and it also has a no-trade clause, according to ESPN.

Ben Zobrist #18 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates after scoring a run during Game Five of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field in New York City.

With Zobrist now in the fold, the Cubs appear that they will end up making a trade from their middle infield depth, with both Starlin Castro and Javier Baez on the trading block. Ken Rosenthal reports that it’s a four-year, $56-million contract.

Earlier in the day it was reported that Zobrist was close to deciding between the New York Mets, Washington Nationals, and San Francisco Giants.

Zobrist is the second major addition of the offseason for the Cubs, who also added John Lackey on a 2-year, $32 million contract.

The MLB Hot Stove season has mostly been about pitching thus far, with Zobrist the first big position player off the board.

Maddon is credited with helping turn Zobrist – once tagged as a “low upside” prospect – into a star as he played Zobrist at every defensive position other than pitcher and catcher. The offensive numbers aren’t stunning -.265 batting average, 17 homers and 77 RBIs are his career averages per 162 games – but his versatility is his No. 1 trait.