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Four future Mets trade candidates to keep your eye on in 2019

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 02: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after getting the last out of the third inning during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on April 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 02: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after getting the last out of the third inning during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on April 2, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 10: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the Pittsburgh Piratesduring the Opening Day home game at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Pirates defeated the Cubs 8-5. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Ben Zobrist

Another member of the 2015 Royals, Ben Zobrist entered 2019 in the final season of the 4-year contract he signed with the Chicago Cubs following Kansas City’s win over the Mets.

Zobrist continued to find success as a member of the Cubs, being a key part of their 2016 World Series Championship team, and has been a consistent player for them throughout the following years despite his age.

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A 14-year veteran, Zobrist entered the 2019 season at 38 years old, and through the month of April, he batted .239 with a .329 OBP, driving in 7 runs.

While those numbers are not as impressive as Gordon’s, Zobrist is coming off of a tremendous 2018 campaign, over which he batted .305 with a .378 OBP, along with 9 home run and 58 RBI.

Additionally, Zobrist is a switch hitter and a very talented “utility player”, as he has appeared in games at every position aside from pitcher and catcher over his career, and with the Mets recent luck with injuries, versatility is a preferable trait in a player.

In just 22 games in 2019, Zobrist has appeared in games at left field, right field and at second base for Chicago.

While Zobrist makes a lot of sense for New York, he may not necessarily be available for them to trade for, as the Cubs may still be a contender this season, hence they would not want to part ways with him.

Chicago finished the month of April with a 15-12 record and were in second place in the NL Central Division, so while it is still early in the season, at the moment, they are contenders for a postseason berth.

Despite their current position, the Cubs are in a tough division, as the Brewers and Cardinals are also expected to be contenders in 2019, and if Chicago begins to struggle as the season progresses and falls in the standings, they may be sellers at the deadline.

If this is the case and Chicago does make Zobrist available for a trade, the Mets would be smart to consider making a move for him.

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