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Chicago Cubs: What is Ben Zobrist’s role moving forward?

By Adam H. McGinnis

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs on a double hit by Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning in game five of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs on a double hit by Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning in game five of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 12: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs on a double hit by Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning in game five of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 12: Ben Zobrist #18 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs on a double hit by Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning in game five of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park on October 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

With two years left on his contract and coming off a down year, Ben Zobrist’s role with the Chicago Cubs moving forward is a bit cloudy.

When the Chicago Cubs signed Ben Zobrist ahead of the 2016 season, it marked the end of Starlin Castro‘s time on the North Side. Castro’s career with the Cubs was filled with ambivalence from fans.

For years he was one of the few bright spots on some truly atrocious Chicago Cubs teams. But his tenure with them wasn’t without periods of unnecessary drama. So when they traded him to New York in order to give Zobrist the job, it was a sign that the Cubs were deadly serious about ending their record-long championship drought imminently.

Now, two years later, Zobrist’s place with the Cubs is met with a significant degree of uncertainty. While he was widely known as a utility player before signing with the Cubs, one condition of his before inking a deal was that he’d primarily play second base. That positional security is no longer guaranteed for Zobrist. In fact, his role as a full-time starter may be waning.

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