The Tampa Bay Rays orchestrated perhaps the league's most surprising trade with under a half hour left before the deadline when they shipped ace David Price to the Tigers in a three-team deal. The Rays received a young player of their liking, and it could affect Ben Zobrist's status with the team.
The Seattle Mariners joined the trade discussions with the Tigers and Rays late yesterday to complete the three-team deal. The Tigers received David Price and sent off outfielder Austin Jackson to the Mariners and pitcher Drew Smyly to the Rays, while the Mariners gave up infielder Nick Franklin to Tampa Bay. Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist's future with the team might be jeopardized with Franklin coming to town.
Zobrist was involved in much trade speculation prior to the deadline, with the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and Pittsburgh Pirates expressing interest. It was rumored the Giants aggressively sought to acquire Zobrist due to their horrid situation at second base, but the teams did not agree on a deal before 4 p.m. However, waiver trades can be orchestrated throughout the month of August and the Rays might be interested in moving Zobrist as they view Franklin as a younger and better version of the current 33-year-old second baseman.
Upon arriving in Tampa Bay, Franklin was immediately optioned to Triple-A Durham because the Rays middle infield is currently occupied with Yunel Escobar at shortstop and Zobrist at second base. What's for certain is that the Rays will not exercise Zobrist's $7.5 million team option next season so they can make room for the younger and much more affordable Franklin. But that's the last-minute option for moving Zobrist if he remains with the team through the 2014 season. With the Giants 3.5 games back for the NL West division lead and only 0.5 games ahead in the wild card race, they're going to have to solve their issue at second base. Marco Scutaro is on the disabled list with what seems to be interminable injury issues, prospect Joe Panik performed poorly before going down with an injury, and then the team took a gamble with Dan Uggla, who they are either cutting or demoting after four terrible games with the team. He's likely to be replaced by a Double-A infielder tonight against the Mets.
Additionally, ESPN erroneously reported that Zobrist had been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday - a team that also expressed much interest in the second basemen.
ESPN reported a nonexistent Ben Zobrist trade on the air. Did they get it from a fake Twitter account? https://t.co/FZFtxRwysF
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) July 31, 2014The Pirates are also in a tight playoff race as they sit 2.5 games back of the NL Central lead and 0.5 games out of the wild card spot. If Zobrist manages to clear waivers, the Rays can execute a trade with either of these teams, and it's likely they'll both be interested.
You can read more about the Rays' acquisition about Nick Franklin and their soon-to-be breakup with Ben Zobrist in this MLB.com article.
