Rays exercise $7.5 Million option on Ben Zobrist

Ben Zobrist's meager $7.5M option for 2015 has been exercised by the Tampa Bay Rays. This is the least surprising news and does nothing to make you feel better about this season, so don't even try.

The Rays might as well have a giant FOR SALE sign out front of The Trop, and that includes the incredible asset that is Ben Zobrist.

Next season will be his age 33 season, and his glove should be able to play at any position on the diamond. That gives the Rays enormous flexibility to cut salary wherever they want for Zobrist to take over, or to trade Zobrist to any team to cut salary and make room for prospects.

The possible future Hall of Famer reached a career low in strikeouts last season, en route to yet another season with more than five wins above replacement, playing all three up-the-middle positions and the outfield corners. Yes that includes short stop and center field.

Zorilla is a defining success of the Andrew Friedman Era, and he won't be around much longer. Whether that's 12 weeks -- until the Winter Meetings -- or 12 months, when his contract ends.

My money is on Ben Zobrist being retained by the Rays. For now.