MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Brian Cashman Rejected Deal for Ben Zobrist

By Cheri Cheng - 09 Oct '15 09:37AM

The New York Yankees could have had Ben Zobrist toward the end of their season and into the postseason.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman revealed after the Yankees fell to the Houston Astros 3-0 in the American League Wild Card game that he had turned down an offer for Ben Zobrist.

While speaking with reporters about the season, he was asked why the Yankees did not make any significant trades before the July 31st deadline. During that time, the Toronto Blue Jays, who were competing with the Yankees for first place in the AL East throughout the entire season, added Troy Tulowitzki and David Price.

"The only second baseman was [Ben] Zobrist and [Oakland Athletics] wanted a combo of [Adam] Warren and [Rob] Refsnyder,'' said Cashman. "We tried to improve the bullpen and made a significant offer [to San Diego for Craig Kimbrel] and it was turned down. After the deadline, 75 percent of the players were claimed. There was nowhere to turn outside of [Triple-A] Scranton.''

Cashman stated that the deal was not worth it and Zobrist ended up going to the Kansas City Royals.

"I'm not going to do that for a three-month rental," Cashman said via NJ Advance Media.

Zobrist will become a free agent in the offseason. The Yankees are rumored to be going after him. Zobrist is a very appealing player for the Yankees because he can play in several infield positions including first base, catcher and pitcher.

In the regular season, the two-time All-Star batted .276 with 13 homeruns, 56 RBIs and a .359 OBP. For the Royals, Zobrist batted .284 with seven homeruns and 23 RBIs over the span of 59 games.

While the Yankees sit back and watch the postseason unfold, the Royals are looking to even out their ALDS against the Astros. Royals right-hander, Johnny Cueto will get the start against the Astros' lefty, Scott Kazmir. Both pitchers have struggled after joining their respective teams.

Cueto, who is 11-13 with a 3.44 ERA, is just 4-7 in 13 starts whereas Kazmir (7-11, 3.10 ERA) is 2-6 with a 4.17 ERA.

Game 2 of that series takes place today, Oct. 9 at 3:45 p.m. on FS1.