The Yankees have signed infielder Pete Kozma to a major league contract and added him to their 25-man roster, per a team announcement. Kozma is a client of Excel Sports Management.
Kozma joined the Yankees on a minor league deal in December 2015, but he didn’t see any major league action last season. This spring, it helped the shortstop’s cause when starter Didi Gregorius suffered a shoulder injury in late March. Gregorius is likely to miss all of April, which will leave short to Ronald Torreyes and Kozma to begin the season.
The 28-year-old Kozma saw big league action from 2011-15 with the Cardinals and appeared in 275 games, most of which (173) came at short. Kozma offered little offensively during that span, as he hit a paltry .222/.288/.293 in 689 plate appearances. However, he did rack up 13 Defensive Runs Saved and post a 10.7 Ultimate Zone Rating in 1,399 innings as a shortstop.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
an obvious no lose move. With the apparent quality offense the Yankees appear to have this season, his defense can only help the weakest part of the team, their starting rotation. How he performs will dictate whether or not he remains with the big league club when Didi returns.
Agreed. He can certainly help until Didi returns. I hope he does well enough to stick with the team after that.
They would have to trade someone first if they want to keep him on the 40 man. Perhaps Refsnyder.
No they wouldn’t. Didi is on the 10-day DL. He still counts on the 40-man
Brendan Ryan 2.0
Kozma will be gone in a month but his skill set is useful. I’m amazed still at Yankee fans and their obsession with Rob Refsnyder. He can’t play defense anywhere and the bat doesn’t make up for that. But Yankee fans seem to think he’s the next Jeter, if only the Yankees would let him play…
I haven’t met a Yankees fan who thinks Refsnyder will be the next Jeter, but if you say so then it must be true, since you seem to know everything…
Lmao. I guarantee you not a single Yankee fan called Ref the next Jeter. That is beyond ridiculous.
I sensed a little sarcasm in his post about the fans/Jeter reference
Refsnyder had a hot bat a couple times in AAA and during his cups of coffee in NY. Can’t say I’ve ever heard “next Jeter” tag – lol – though.
Useful AAA hitter with no serviceable glove, in my opinion.
DFA candidate once Didi comes back. It allows the Yanks to keep Tyler Wade in the minors, who has a lot higher upside than Kozma, and delay his service time clock.
You’re probably right but regardless, it’s a mini showcase for Kozma. If he performs well, he may get another MLB opportunity without having to spend time in AAA.
kozma was with the yankees farm team all last year. hasn’t played in majors since 2015. writer must not have checked info. last transaction was signed with yankees on november 30, 2015
Last year is well last year. a player with experience and good fielding skills will find an MLB job if he hits “average”. Also helps if he can play multiple positions and most shortstops can. Injuries happen and granted it’s a big if but if performs well and the Yankees cut him when DG comes back, he’ll find another opportunity.
I’m wondering what Yankee fans seem to think this? The fanbase wanted Refs to get called up a few years ago when he was tearing up the minors and we had Drew at 2B hitting like .180. With the way the farm system is now, Refs seems to be the odd man out because of his defense.
The Wizard of Koz takes on New York! Haha
I like Kozma’s work ethic; but he can’t be sticking past Didi’s absence. Pete will not replace Torreyes as the the utility bench infielder.
Regarding RobRef, he needs regular playing time so AAA is right for him now. If the Yankees have a bad season and are selling again, maybe Castro can go and Rob will replace him; unfortunately, due to the Yankees’ newer farmhands, if Ref does well in the nearish future, he’ll prob be auditioning for whichever team wants to acquire him. No knock on Ref, but in two years time, Mateo and Torres will likely be playing on either side of Didi. I’m optimistic that both the Yankees and Ref can succeed even though they may be destined to part ways.
They should have signed Stephen Drew when he was available
Yeah, a guy who plays poor defense at a middle IF position and who get a lot of hits w/o much power is Jeter like