New York Mets Eyeing Athletics Left Fielder Ben Zobrist: Report

The New York Mets and Oakland Athletics have been talking about a possible trade involving A's left fielder Ben Zobrist, who is expected to become a free agent after the current MLB season. The New York Daily News reports that “sources on both sides say the two teams have talked about Zobrist,” although the potential deal is not close to being final.

The 34-year-old Zobrist, a known versatile defender and effective switch-hitter, played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays from 2006 to 2014 before being traded to Oakland in January.

The Athletics are struggling in the current MLB season with a 34-41 win-loss record, in fourth place in the West Division in the American League. Meanwhile, the Mets are at 37-37, second in the East Division of the National League.

According to the same Daily News report, pressure is building for Mets general manager Sandy Alderson to improve his club's roster this season. Some Mets players are even admitting in interviews that some of them are playing out of position and that could be a cause of their struggle. The Mets snapped a seven-game losing streak Thursday with a 2-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

In his first year with the Athletics, Zobrist is batting .252 with 27 RBIs and 5 home runs so far this season.