Chicago Cubs fans have not had a whole lot to cheer about in the last week. After losing two of three to the Cincinnati Reds and losing three straight to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs are three games out of a playoff spot entering play on Sunday afternoon.
One positive development, however, has been the productive return of veteran utility player Ben Zobrist, who has made his presence known in the middle infield.
Many have speculated that this season might be Zobrist's final year in the majors, but he told MLB reporter Bruce Levine that he feels he could play another season:
Ben Zobrist on making a decision to play next season or not “ Physically I believe I can do it “
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) September 22, 2019
It is certainly possible to envision Zobrist returning for at least one more season. Personal issues robbed him of over half of the 2019 season, but Zobrist has returned with a flurry.
The 38-year-old had an OPS below .600 before leaving the team to deal a marital situation, but he has been one of the most reliable bats in Chicago's lineup in September.
Since his return to action on Sept. 3, Zobrist is slashing .320/.404/.460 with a 130 wRC+ value, according to FanGraphs. The Cubs have been one of the worst teams in the league at the second base position based on WAR, but Zobrist has given the team a spark in the middle infield amidst injuries to the likes of Javier Baez and Addison Russell.
The Cubs could be on the verge of a massive shakeup. Manager Joe Maddon may be on his way out after five seasons on the bench, and Theo Epstein has alluded to personnel changes. However, it is not out of the realm of possibility that the Cubs would look to bring Ben Zobrist back on a one-year deal.
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