It’s no secret Ben Zobrist (.261, 5 HRs, 31 RBsI) is a hot commodity as the MLB trade deadline day approaches.

Zobrist, 34, is a guy who can play anywhere in the lineup, anywhere on the field — he has experience at every position other than catcher and pitching. With news that New York Yankees third baseman Chase Headley might be out a while longer due to knee inflammation, this is more of a reason why Zobrist becomes essential for the Yankees to acquire. While he only has four career games at third base, he represents another bat the Yankees can add to the lineup.

While the Yankees have the chips to pull off a trade, the Oakland Athletics, who had been struggling, currently find themselves 8.5 GB out of the AL West and 8 GB in the Wild Card. The Athletics might be reluctant to sell, but while they are known for being a second-half team in recent years, Zobrist is an impending free agent. It would not be unheard of for GM Billy Beane to attempt to acquire the kind of prospect he sees fit going forward, while not entirely ruling his team out of contention this season. Depending on how the Athletics play over the next few days and weeks could be the deciding factor on whether Zobrist has a new zip code after July 31.

Assuming the Yankees pull off the trade, Zobrist offers the team the luxury of spelling a starter throughout the season, such as in the outfield to give Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner a rest, and as added injury insurance — Carlos Beltran has missed 22 games so far this season, and has not played since June.

The Yankees recently called up touted prospect Rob Refsnyder and while they will be giving him a strong look at second case, Zobrist is another option to play the position well. He owns a career .987 fielding percentage, with 29 errors in 573 games at the position — he has zero errors in 26 starts at 2B this season. In his career, he has the most starts at second base, with the next highest totals in right field and shortstop.