KC Royals: Parting Ways With Ben Zobrist Still Tough

The KC Royals had a disappointing 2016 campaign after winning the World Series in 2015. One of the most disappointing parts of the season though was watching former Royal Ben Zobrist leave Kansas City for another team.

Ben Zobrist is arguably the most popular non-Kansas City athlete ever in this city. He only spent three and a half months with the team last season, but continues to be a soft spot for all Kansas City Royals fans.

In case you were living under a rock last year, I’ll fill you in on what happened.

The Royals were intent on making a run at a World Series title in 2015. When the month of July hit and the trade deadline was nearing, the Royals made not one, but two trades in hopes that this club would win their first title in three decades.

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Kansas City had already acquired Johnny Cueto from the Reds, but they shocked many when they also brought in utility man Ben Zobrist from the Athletics.

Zobrist quickly became a fan favorite for Royals fans, slashing .284/.364/.453 in 59 games with the club. He became a staple for the defense too, notching time at second base, third base, left field, right field, and at the designated hitter spot.

Where Ben Zobrist became an instant legend for Kansas City Royals fans though was in the 2015 postseason.

During the ALDS against the Astros, Zobrist was batting .333 and batted .320 against the Blue Jays in the ALCS. His defense was huge too, as there was a play in the ALCS where he made a great jump on a line ball and made a crucial out.

It’d be awesome to see the Cubs win it all this year, but even cooler to see Ben win his second World Series ring in just two years.

When the 2015 season was over, however, there were some bittersweet moments regarding Zobrist.

Obviously winning a World Series was awesome and we’d all love to see our Royals back there again in 2017, but fans knew that a decision was going to be made, and it would be a tough one for sure.

That particular decision involved re-signing Ben Zobrist or letting him walk and making an attempt to bring back longtime Royal Alex Gordon.

The two were similar players. Both quiet guys. Both defensive studs. Both homers. Both really good guys to have on your team.

Ultimately, Zobrist decided to re-join his former manager Joe Maddon and sign with the Chicago Cubs. The Royals ended up re-signing Gordon, who struggled in 2016, but hey… We all love Gordo and we know he’ll be back and more effective in 2017.

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Going back to Ben Zobrist though, watching him this postseason has been a thrill, but it adds to the pain of him leaving us during the offseason.

For starters, Zobrist helped lead his team back to the World Series this year. That team happened to be the Chicago Cubs, who hadn’t been to a World Series in over 70 years and haven’t won one since 1908.

In just two World Series games with the Cubs, Zobrist is slashing 625/.667/1.000 and appears to always be the guy coming up in the clutch for the Cubbies. It’d be awesome to see the Cubs win it all this year, but even cooler to see Ben win his second World Series ring in just two years.

With all of this said though, it makes all of us wonder if the KC Royals made the right decision last winter. Yes, we all love Alex Gordon, but his poor season in 2016 and Zobrist’s good year with the Cubs is going to put that thought into our heads.

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Even though Ben Zobrist moved onto Chicago and very well could be a two-time World Series champion, he still means a ton to Kansas City and to Royals fans.

While we’re all happy to see him succeed elsewhere, it’s still tough to watch him move on without us. He’s thriving in Chicago and the Royals are watching the playoffs from home and missing their once clutch hitter.

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