Report: Free Agent Ben Zobrist Is Mets' 'No. 1 Target'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Assuming the Mets don't re-sign Daniel Murphy -- and it doesn't appear likely that they will -- they'll need to replace his offense.
As far as internal options go, the organization is very high on 21-year-old Dilson Herrera. But the Colombian hasn't proved that he can cut it in the majors. Though it's only a small sample size, Herrera has a career .211 batting average in 149 at-bats over two seasons.
Free agent Ben Zobrist is a proven commodity, and according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, he's general manager Sandy Alderson's No. 1 target this offseason.
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Zobrist, 34, is incredibly versatile defensively. In 2015, the veteran played 69 games at second base, four games at third base, 45 games in left field and five games in right field for the A's and World Series champion Royals.
He was no slouch at the plate, either, batting .276 with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs.
Zobrist would replace Murphy as the starting second baseman if he signed with New York, but would also serve as valuable insurance at third for David Wright, whose health remains in question.
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Because the two-time All-Star was traded during the season, the team that signs him won't have to surrender a draft pick. Zobrist was ineligible to receive a qualifying offer.
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The New York Post reported earlier this month that Zobrist could get as much as $60 million-plus over four years. ESPN.com's Adam Rubin reported on Monday morning that Alderson is not inclined to give Zobrist a fourth year.
