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The Cubs have made it a point since the end of the 2018 season that they simply have to have a greater sense of urgency from the start of the year. Jason Heyward reiterated that during an interview Friday on 670 The Score, but it was a mention of Ben Zobrist that was most intriguing.
After helping the Royals win the 2015 World Series, Zobrist signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Cubs. All he did in his first season on the North Side was make the NL All-Star team and win a second straight title, while being named the 2016 World Series MVP.
Zobrist heads into 2019, entering the final year of his contract with the Cubs. He’ll be 38-years-old in May and after 14 MLB seasons he might call it quits. At least that’s a real possibility after reading into Heyward’s comments about 2019 on Friday.
Jason Heyward on @McNeil_Parkins: "You can't ever take it for granted. You can have a team like this one with Ben Zobrist, who could very well be [in] his last year of his career. You want to go out, put your best foot forward and try to win a ring with someone like that."
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) February 22, 2019
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Back in January, Zobrist said he wasn’t looking ahead to 2020 in terms of another contract and was solely focused on winning a championship in 2019.
Zobrist arrived to spring training on Friday. His absence since Monday, when the Cubs had their first team workout, was excused because of personal reasons.
Zobrist wouldn't divulge why he was late to camp, just saying it was a "personal reason." But said everything is OK now and he expects to be here the remainder of camp with no other conflicts.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 22, 2019
Whether 2019 is his last season in MLB, or just his last season with the Cubs, Zobrist is making sure he gives everything he has left to this group of players. That includes stepping up as a leader.
Zobrist how being more vocal as a leader in final year of contract with Cubs:
"For me, not knowing what my future is next year, I definitely want to take my full responsibility and give whatever I can to the guys and give to this group so we can get back to where we want to be."
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 22, 2019
Well, if it’s Ben’s last year, Cubs fans can only hope he caps off his career like David Ross.
