Ben Zobrist or Adam Lind? Per Phil Rogers 12/27/12

[Brian26]

Phil Rogers hints in the Trib this morning (in his column about AJ leaving) that the Sox may try to acquire Ben Zobrist or Adam Lind.

In typical Phil Rogers' style, it's not mentioned whether this is an actual substantiated rumor from someone connected with the Sox or just something he made up because it sounds interesting.

[Brian26]

Zobrist is 31 and a switch hitter. Lind is 29 and a LH hitter.

Zobrist can pretty much play anywhere on the field, but you have to wonder if he could replace Beckham at 2B or Rios in RF.

Lind is primarily 1B/DH and maybe LF (hasn't played out there since 2010 though). Seems a little redundant with Dunn and PK signed, unless Viciedo is shipped out.

Both guys are interesting thoughts.

[Tragg]

Originally Posted by Brian26

Zobrist is 31 and a switch hitter. Lind is 29 and a LH hitter.

Zobrist can pretty much play anywhere on the field, but you have to wonder if he could replace Beckham at 2B or Rios in RF.

Lind is primarily 1B/DH and maybe LF (hasn't played out there since 2010 though). Seems a little redundant with Dunn and PK signed, unless Viciedo is shipped out.

Both guys are interesting thoughts.

Zobrist is high end utility talent. Not an impact bat we need.
Reminding me more and more of 2007.

[dickallen15]

Originally Posted by Tragg

Zobrist is high end utility talent. Not an impact bat we need.
Reminding me more and more of 2007.

He put up an .848 OPS last year, .822 the year before that and .927 in 2009. High end utility? He would be the best player on the White Sox.

[TheVulture]

Originally Posted by dickallen15

He put up an .848 OPS last year, .822 the year before that and .927 in 2009. High end utility? He would be the best player on the White Sox.

In the sense he can cover a multitude of positions, Zobrist is a utility player. A very good utility player who should be playing 150 games a season.

I'd love to see him in a Sox uniform. Could use him as the fourth OFer, DH him against lefties and plug him for the various infielders. He could get 40 starts at DH, 40-50 in the OF, and plenty of starts in the infield to get him to 150, especially with Konerko presumably needing more time off over the next couple years. He'd move Wise into a more appropriate position of a late game sub and still allow the Sox to carry him as a 5th OFer where I think he would add a lot of value in that role. If guys like Beckham and Viciedo hit at a level where they should be starting 150+ games, you could just plug him in at third full time and move Keppinger into the utility role. This guy would be perfect fit, you could move him all around the lineup as needed as well.

[Tragg]

Originally Posted by dickallen15

He put up an .848 OPS last year, .822 the year before that and .927 in 2009. High end utility? He would be the best player on the White Sox.

He's a good player. Gets on base and fair power. Kind of like Swisher (whom we had to pay out the wazzu for in terms of talent). At a fair price, sure.

[PalehosePlanet]

As I said earlier, I don't believe this happens because Tampa just seems way too difficult to make deals with; they always want the other team to overpay in trades.

As far as Tampa not needing pitching: nonsense. According to sources they are looking for two relief pitchers. Something like Santiago and Jones might be able to get it done. But again, I don't see us approaching them for Zobrist.

[asindc]

Originally Posted by dickallen15

He put up an .848 OPS last year, .822 the year before that and .927 in 2009. High end utility? He would be the best player on the White Sox.

Sale and Rios are better.

[dickallen15]

Originally Posted by asindc

Sale and Rios are better.

There is no GM in baseball that would take Rios over Zobrist.

[DonnieDarko]

Getting Lind doesn't make sense: the Sox already got enough players at 1B. However, I'd have no problem with Zobrist as a utility player, I guess.

[LITTLE NELL]

Originally Posted by DonnieDarko

Getting Lind doesn't make sense: the Sox already got enough players at 1B. However, I'd have no problem with Zobrist as a utility player, I guess.

If we get Zobrist I doubt that it would be in a utility role. He has averaged 19 HRs and 83 RBIs the last 4 years while hitting .268.
I watch most of the Rays games and always liked him and always hoped he would wind up on the Southside. He was also born and raised in Eureka Illinois.

[PalehosePlanet]

Not sure why Rogers believes the Rays would make Zobrist available. They just lost BJ Upton to free agency which leaves them with Zobrist, Jennings, and Joyce (coming off a bad year) in the outfield. If they trade Zobrist, they would start...who, Sam Fuld? I don't think so.

Besides, Tampa is hard to deal with in trades it seems. They've made other teams overpay mightily in recent years. I don't see this happening.

[Domeshot17]

Zobrist makes a ton of sense!

Zobrist at 2b, Keppinger at 3b, Gordon off the bench in a utility role where he would be better suited, that would be hugggeeeee

[kittle42]

Thrilling. The offseason race for third place continues.

[SI1020]

Originally Posted by LITTLE NELL

If we get Zobrist I doubt that it would be in a utility role. He has averaged 19 HRs and 83 RBIs the last 4 years while hitting .268.
I watch most of the Rays games and always liked him and always hoped he would wind up on the Southside. He was also born and raised in Eureka Illinois.

I like him too. He's versatile and productive.