Ben Zobrist visited with Mets on Wednesday, appears to be weighing finalists

Ben Zobrist appears to be weighing the finalists for his services, as Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that the free agent visited with the Mets on Wednesday and was given a tour around the suburbs of New York City with a contingent which included chief operating offer Jeff Wilpon.

Zobrist, who turns 35 in May, is reportedly looking for a four-year deal in the range of $60 million. There was a report earlier this week that the Mets weren’t willing to go a fourth year, but assistant general manager John Ricco indicates that they haven’t drawn such a line.

“I don’t know that there is hesitancy,” Ricco said. “We’re negotiating. We’re still discussing all of that. I don’t know that ‘hesitancy’ is the right word. We have to do a deal, ultimately, that makes sense for us in the short term and the long term. If there’s a fit there, in terms of what we’re comfortable with dollars-wise and years-wise for him, we’ll get the player.”

Zobrist batted .276/.359/.450 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI across 126 games this past season between the Athletics and Royals. He was a key contributor during Kansas City’s World Series victory, which the Mets saw up-close and personal. His versatility is a key selling point, but Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star recently wrote that he wants to play second base. That’s presumably where he’d slot in for the Mets.

It’s worth noting that Zobrist is not tied to draft pick compensation, as he was traded midseason and wasn’t eligible to receive a qualifying offer. The Nationals, Dodgers, and Giants are among the other teams who have been linked to him this winter.

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