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Ben Zobrist‘s free agency has reached its conclusion, as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the infielder will sign with the Cubs (Twitter link). The contract will reunite Zobrist with former Rays manager Joe Maddon, who is now the skipper of the Cubs. Zobrist is represented by Octagon. All indications earlier this afternoon were that Zobrist would receive a four-year contract, and Rosenthal tweets that the exact guarantee on that four-year deal will be $56MM.
The addition of Zobrist creates a number of logjams on the Chicago roster, as his best positions — corner outfield and second base — are currently occupied by a combination of Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and Starlin Castro. Then again, the Cubs are said to be discussing a trade of Castro to the Yankees, which would potentially free up second base and move Baez into a super-utility role (provided he isn’t traded himself).
Zobrist was long tied to the Mets, Giants and Nationals, but the Cubs re-emerged as an apparent suitor in media reports earlier this afternoon. Zobrist’s priorities were said to be a winning team and a team that is relatively close to his Nashville home, and the Cubs check both of those boxes.
Whatever, didn't even want him for more than that amount.