With all the recent Yuniesky Betancourt trade rumor/benching drama, it seems fairly certain that the Mariners organization does not foresee Betancourt as a long term solution at shortstop. Before the season started, many speculated that the Mariners would target USC SS Grant Green with the number 2 pick in the draft. However, Green’s stock has fallen significantly after a rough season at USC and is now projected by most to fall in the 10-15 range. The Mariners have Carlos Truinfel in their system, but he remains a bit of a project and has had his career path set back with this year’s major injury. There’s also speculation that he will be eventually moved to another position as he develops. In the offseason, the free agents are Miguel Tejada, Jack Wilson, Bobby Crosby, and Khalil Greene – none of which appear too enticing outside of Tejada, who will likely command the most money in a thin FA market and will be 35 years old (36?).

That brings us to Ben Zobrist. The Tampa Bay utility player spent his entire minor league career as a shortstop, has positive scouting reports on his defense, but hasn’t been able to crack through as an everyday player in a talented Rays lineup. Fielding metrics (UZR) have graded him at poor at SS in scattered major league time, so it’s a concern, but the sample size is small so it must be taken with a grain of salt. This year, he’s taken on the role of a part-time OF and IF, and he’s excelling offensively for his 2nd straight year. Zobrist managed to hit a total of 23 homers in over 1,300 minor league at bats, but has hit 19 in his past 281 MLB at-bats. He’s got all the signs of a late bloomer at age 27, and fits Z’s mold of underutilized players who could produce if given the chance to play every day (see: Russell Branyan).

Tampa Bay is using Zobrist as a utility player mostly in right field, but has Matt Joyce and Desmond Jennings as future outfielders in their farm system. Zobrist has no future as a shortstop in the Rays organization. Not only do they have Jason Bartlett off to a fantastic start, but highly regarded prospect Reid Brignac in the minors and last year’s #1 pick, Tim Beckham, also at the position. Tampa Bay is likely in no rush to trade a player with an OPS of 1.023 in their rush to get back to the top of the division, but Zobrist could be a nice offseason target for the Mariners. He’s 27 and has three club controlled years left, all arbitration eligible.

Seattle has a surplus of outfielders and looks ready to draft another in Dustin Ackley, and there isn’t much chance all of them are going to make it to the ballclub in the next 2 years, especially with the emergence of Wladimir Balentien. Tampa Bay has a deep farm system, but top outfield prospects are of some need to them with Carl Crawford likely leaving soon as well as muddled RF situation, as well as catcher depth while John Jaso struggles in AAA. It’s difficult to speculate what Tampa Bay might want in return for Zobrist, but Seattle might look to deal Michael Saunders or Greg Halman at some point in the next year because of the logjam at the position. Depending on how Zobrist keeps hitting, it may take one of them to get him. Otherwise, a lesser package could be worked out. The team has too many outfielders and desperately needs middle infield help until the team acquires some true organizational depth and potential at SS/2B – Ben Zobrist could be an answer for this team in the next few years, providing the team with some power and a steady glove.