How Ben Zobrist and the Rays Are Impacted by Adam Lind's Deal with the Blue Jays

This past week, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Adam Lind signed a four-year, $18 million contract.

Lind's contract also has three option years that could bring the total to seven years and $38.5 million.

By locking him up now, the Blue Jays eliminate his three arbitration years and get cost control for the next seven seasons. 

So what does this mean to the Rays?

The Rays have one particular player who also had a breakout season last year. He is an outfielder who is also about to enter his arbitration years. He also fits the mold of the Tampa Bay Rays' next building block.

Ben Zobrist.

Sure, there are guys Tampa Bay can re-sign. Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, and Rafael Soriano head the list. There are other arbitration guys who could be locked up to a long-term deal. B.J. Upton, Matt Garza, and Jason Bartlett highlight that list.

But Ben Zobrist makes the most sense to be next.

Because of Joe Maddon's love of a do-it-all utility player, Zobrist was able to shine last season, and shine he did. In 2009, Zobrist hit .297 with 27 HR, 91 RBI, and a .405 OBP. He was the Rays' most patient hitter last year, earning nearly as many walks as strikeouts (91 to 104). The Rays also have confidence in his ability to have a repeat performance, slotting him for the No. 3 spot in the batting order for 2010.

So what does this have to do with Adam Lind?

The Lind contract is the one signed in the current economic climate. This type of a contract would be better than, say, comparing it to Baltimore's Nick Markakis, who signed a six-year, $62 million contract before the 2009 season. 

Lind offers more power, while Zobrist offers more versatility. Zobrist is also two years his elder, which could make this next contract his only shot at a major money deal. 

But make no mistake, Zobrist has the Rays' mantra written all over him.

The Rays have a chance to get another cost-control contract in the mold of Evan Longoria. For a small market team, this type of a deal cannot be understated. This can also free up some money to perhaps retain another arbitration player like Bartlett, Upton, or Garza.

If Upton shows he's fully healthy and has a comeback campaign, you could make the argument the Rays could have their 3-4-5 hitters for years to come.

You could make the case that no one is more valuable to the Rays than Zobrist. He was the 2009 team MVP. Locking him up to a similar length contract as Lind would give the Rays two-thirds of a middle of the order through 2016. With all the roster turnover likely to happen in the next couple seasons, Zobrist and Longoria could lead the next wave of Rays players.

And at a Lind-type rate, he could challenge Longoria for Most Valuable Bargain.

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