Cubs Sign Ben Zobrist To 4-Year Deal

(CBS) The Chicago Cubs have signed utility player Ben Zobrist to a four-year deal, they announced Tuesday evening.

The deal is worth $56 million, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported. The 34-year-old Zobrist, a switch hitter, won the World Series last year with the Kansas City Royals after being traded there from the Oakland Athletics. He hit .276 with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs in 126 games with the A's and Royals.

Zobrist is a career .265 hitter and, most appealing to the Cubs, is a high on-base percentage player, with a .355 career mark. Zobrist ranks fourth in the majors with 566 walks drawn since the start of 2009, his first full big league season. He's scored at least 75 runs in seven straight seasons.

Zobrist's deal also includes a no-trade provision for the first three years, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported.

The addition of Zobrist was followed quickly by the Cubs trading three-time All-Star infielder Starlin Castro to the Yankees in exchange for right-hander Adam Warren. That opens up the opportunity for Zobrist to play second base regularly -- he reportedly desired at least semi-regular spot -- though the Cubs certainly love his versatility as well. Zobrist has played every position in his career except pitcher and catcher, logging the majority of his time at second base and right field.

Castro had four years and nearly $40 million left on his contract, plus a $16 million team option for 2020.

In Chicago, Zobrist will be reunited with Joe Maddon, whom he played for in Tampa Bay from 2006-'14. He had his best season in 2009, earning his first All-Star berth while hitting 27 homers and driving in 91 runs. Zobrist was also an All-Star in 2013.

Zobrist is a native of Eureka in central Illinois, so he'll be close to home as well.