New York Yankees Editorial: How Does Ben Zobrist Feel About the Yankees?

Unless you’re a New York Yankees fan living under a rock, you all know that Ben Zobrist has been a trade target floating in and out of the teams rumor mill for quite some time.

Interestingly enough, Brendan Kuty of NJ.com has reported that the 34-year old veteran likes the attention he’s getting from teams around the MLB as the July 31st trade deadline is quickly approaching.

“It’s good to be wanted,” Zobrist told Kuty at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Zobrist, who can play both second base as well as both corner-outfield positions is in the final year of his contract and playing for the basement dwelling Oakland Athletics.

Zobrist, like Martin Prado during last years trade deadline, is being coveted around the league, particularly by clubs gearing up for a playoff run and looking to fill holes with a veteran rental player who can serve multiple roles in any given game.

As noted by staff-writer Matt Curran, Ben Zobrist is in town this week as the Athletics are facing off against the Yankees in a three-game set.

With the A’s set to be sellers at this years deadline, Zobrist make sense for the Yankees for multiple reasons.

Aside from the aforementioned fact that Zobrist is a super-utility man, he would be an instant upgrade over Stephen Drew, who’s hitting just .178 with 11 home runs and one hit in his last 20 at-bats. If not, Zobrist can rotate through the outfield when the injury prone Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury need a days rest. Also, Zobrist has proven success in the A.L. East, as he was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays for nine straight season from 2006-2014. He has a career slash line of .264/.354/.429 with a .783 OPS.

When asked how much he liked ‘The Big Apple’ — and yes, the Mets are also reportedly interested in him, Zobrist answered like a true veteran:

"“I like it as much as I like every other city in the major leagues,” he told Kuty."

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