The Kansas City Royals made a huge splash ahead of the MLB trade deadline when they shipped out a few prospects for Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto, and are apparently not done dealing.
According to reports, the Royals will remain “locked in” on trade talks with the Oakland Athletics for utility man Ben Zobrist until the deadline.
Even with Johnny Cueto on board, don't think KC is done adding. Hearing they're expected to stay in on Ben Zobrist until the end.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) July 27, 2015
Zobrist is slashing .268/.354/.447 for the A’s this season with 10 home runs, 52 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He has played second base and outfield this season, but per Fangraphs has been a minus defender at both positions in 2015. Zobrist is typically a plus glove, and hasn’t posted a negative defensive rating by Fangraphs’ metrics since 2008.
Zobrist’s name is a popular one at this year’s deadline, and the New York Mets have been mentioned alongside him throughout. The Mets have been offensively deficient this season, often squandering stellar efforts from one of the best rotations in baseball. The fit is obvious, but the Mets are reportedly balking at having to pay Zobrist’s contract; he will make $7.5 million this year, and becomes a free agent this offseason.
Sources: No ongoing discussions between #Mets and #Athletics on Zobrist. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 22, 2015
The Royals are also supposedly interested in acquiring Martin Prado from the Miami Marlins, a lower-profile alternative to Zobrist. Prado has slashes .273/.312/.369 this year, and his value has derived mostly from his glove. Like Zobrist, Prado is capable of playing all over the field, but he’s been the better defensive player in 2015.
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