The Rangers have claimed infielder Pete Kozma off waivers from the Yankees, per an announcement from New York. Texas will make a corresponding move to create room for Kozma when he reports, tweets Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
The 29-year-old Kozma had been in limbo since the Yankees designated him for assignment Friday, which came when the team activated shortstop Didi Gregorius from the disabled list. Kozma appeared in 11 games this month for the Yankees, though he only collected 10 plate appearances. The ex-Cardinal didn’t play in the majors at all last season, instead spending the year with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate. Kozma hit a non-threatening .222/.288/.293 in 693 plate appearances with St. Louis from 2011-15, but he did provide quality work at shortstop with 11 Defensive Runs Saved and a 9.9 Ultimate Zone Rating in 1,432 innings at the position.
For Texas, the addition of Kozma could lead to a minor league demotion for former star prospect Jurickson Profar, Grant suggests (on Twitter). In 15 games this year, most of which have come in left field, Profar has posted a .135/.289/.135 line across 46 PAs. He hasn’t appeared in a game since April 25.
What a big drop for Profar.
Yeah, Kozma was horrible for the NYY. A big error cost them a game and he has no bat…
Profar is yet another “can’t miss” bust.
Not a bust. Try having the injury he had and being the same guy after.
Still a bust. Also still time to turn it around though
Yeah, because being demoted never happened to any other player before. Expectations are just that. They aren’t guarantees.
The error in the 7th did NOT cost the Yankees that game. The Yankees had two hits up to that point and no one past 1B! Their one and only run in that game was in the bottom of the 9th when Headley PH for Torreyes, went to 2B on an E6 by the White Sox SS, and then scored on two walks by the reliever.
In the previous game, Kozma at SS had controlled 4 inning-ending double plays. That’s 8 outs! Playing that game at 2B was Castro, who since then has played better himself after playing with a SS of Kozma’s caliber. Castro learned something about footwork, transfer and speed of throwing to 1B in that game.
Oh no! The Yankees lost Kozma!! What are they to do?!!! (Add sarcasm here.)
But…. why? How desperate are the rangers?
Pete Kozma: hated by the entire fan base of the Washington Nationals lol
When the Yankees signed Kozma, I thought it was basically a showcase for when Did I returned. This though could be his last 2017 MLB shot.
Kozma is valued for his above average, often stellar, infield defensive play, and has been since since 2013 when he was the best defensive SS behind only Tulo in the majors.
The Cardinals were stupid to sign the HGH using SS Jhonny Peralta as an offense first SS for 2014-17 for $53M. He’s done nothing to help the team in the past 4 years.
Kozma was signed by the Yankees in 2016 to play at AAA and was a leader on the team of youngsters who are mostly hitters. He helped the Yankees developing pitchers build confidence and keep their ERA’s down by playing superb D and controlling the infield defenses. That team went on to have the best record in AAA, lowest ERA’s in AAA, and the most shutouts in the minors. They also won the AAA Championship for the 1st time.
Yankees wanted Kozma to return enough that they resigned him again in October ’16 for this season. They wanted his skill and leadership to help win the championship again when the game will actually be played at the Scranton-Wilkes Barre home field, PNC Field.
When Didi hurt himself in the WBC, Kozma had played the best infield D in spring training, so they took him to NY.
They likely hoped that he would clear waivers and return to Scranton, where he is sorely needed now that one of their other veteran infielders, Donovan Solano, is injured.
That’s baseball.
Good luck to Kozma in Texas! He’s used to adversity in his career and is a very professional ball player. Go, Pete!!!