The Reds activated shortstop Zack Cozart from the 10-day DL today, as had been expected. While that seemingly removes any remaining obstacles to a trade involving the pending free agent, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that it’s also possible the club could first pursue long-term contract talks.
“I know there’s mutual interest in the future with Zack,” president of baseball operations Dick Williams said. “Maybe we can figure out a way to make that happen.” While that comment perhaps left some ambiguity as to whether near-term extension talks were truly being contemplated, Williams went on to say that “we need to at least initiate some discussions now” given that Cozart will be fielding offers in free agency once the season is over.
Cozart, who’ll turn 32 later this season, said recently that he would have interest in remaining with the only MLB organization he has played for beyond the current campaign. Clearly, then, both team and player are amenable to exploring a new contract. But that hasn’t yet occurred, Williams tells Buchanan.
While talks of some kind now seem likely, a new contract still appears to be a bit of a longshot. Cozart has played extremely well this year while earning an affordable $5.325MM salary, enhancing his appeal to the incumbent team but also increasing his future earning power and trade value. For the rebuilding Reds, cashing in Cozart’s next three or four months for prospects — which seems all the more plausible with the Diamondbacks and Nationals losing their regular shortstops to injury — holds obvious appeal.
While Williams says the organization values the presence of the veteran shortstop, he has also overseen a series of deals in recent years that brought in interesting and youthful middle-infield options. Eugenio Suarez, Jose Peraza, and Dilson Herrera are all at or near the MLB level. While Suarez has lined up at third, it’s worth bearing in mind that the organization also has premium hot corner prospect Nick Senzel on the fast track to the majors.
In the aggregate, there’s an argument to be made that the Reds shouldn’t have much real interest in pursuing an extension with Cozart. But the team could see if he’s willing to take something of a hometown discount and hope that the roster is ready to begin contending in the near-term. (Improvements in the pitching staff will likely be required for that to occur.)
Of course, it’s only fair to note that a plausible extension scenario also functions to enhance the Reds’ trade leverage to some extent. Interestingly, Williams also noted that he has yet to field calls from other clubs looking into a possible deal for Cozart, though that’s sure to change over the coming weeks. Even if Cozart is dealt, the good vibes could conceivably lead to a reunion via free agency. The veteran’s ultimate market value will obviously depend upon his performance down the stretch and the level of need around the game come this fall.
Y would they extend Cozart?! They got Senzel coming and have Dillson at AAA. The reds continue to baffle me. Let’s throw money at a guy because he’s having a good year ala Homer. Votto is and was the only guy I would of paid premium money on that “playoff” team a couple years ago.
It’s probably fluff as they don’t want to give him away. Them playing off that they may resign him could potentially drum up his value a tad.
You do know Dilson has been practically only a DH since we got him. His shoulder injury is horrendous. Leading to not so good numbers at AAA. I personally think shed long is the future of our middle infield. Numbers talk.
If they can extend him without giving him a “no-trade clause”…..they will have secured a much better position in the trade market.
Right now, he’s a 2 month rental, as he’s a FA after 2017. Teams would offer a much larger package of prospects if Cozart was signed for another 3-5 years (even a 2-year extension would be profitable for the Reds, if he’d sign one). He’s 31 yrs old…..he’d be nuts to sign anything less than a 5 year deal…..IMHO.
His “off-the-chart, career season” is further complicating his trade value. His numbers this season are 30% higher than his career numbers……which probably means one of 3 things….
1. He’s finally fully healthy again
2. He’s figured something out
3. He’s Juicing
Who knows which one it is………
Taking an extension would be the biggest mistake Cozart could possibly make. And I don’t see the fit anyway with Peraza and Herrera around.
Have you SEEN Herrera’s numbers? What about them says that he is going to be anything more than a utility infielder at the big league level? At the very least, they don’t say he is a slam dunk bona-fide starting second baseman of the future.
Dude, hiflew, don’t bother arguing with this dude. He’s always right, we’re always wrong.
cubsfan2489 rides the short bus to school
Yes, Cozart is better. He’s also more expensive and there’s no guarantee he’ll sign with the Reds.
Pretty sure I never insulted you. I actually have a bachelors in criminal justice and have a job where I work 40 hours a week. No short bus here. Thanks for wondering though.
Was just pointing out my opinion of trying to have civil baseball discussions with you in the past that have always escalated because you can’t respect other people’s views for whatever reason.
Once again you feel the need to come after me for no real reason. I didn’t even say anything rude to hiflew.
It’s not even an opinion. Cozart does have a lot to gain by waiting out free agency. Even if he wants to sign with the Reds they would probably have to pay him more if he is fielding offers from the other 29 teams.
As far as the Reds having younger, cheaper options who can’t be free agents this year but aren’t as good as Cozart, it’s certainly up in the air what the Reds’ money would be better allocated towards.
Good one Reds! Teams play the media so well this time of year
If they want him around long term, that is fine. If he wants to be around long term, that is fine also. However, the best play is still to trade him THIS season. Pull an Aroldis Chapman. Trade him to the D-Backs or Nats for a couple of prospects and then resign him in the offseason.
Dbacks have quite a bit of SS depth, I expect them to roll with Marte and Owings. Ahmed will be back in 6-8wks.
Herrera has been a motor disappointment at Triple A and Peraza has been disappointing at the majors! It tells me their scouts don’t know how to scout good talent! Another fine example is the Cueto trade. They released John Lamb, Cody Reed been useless and Finnegan been hurt and in the Yankees trade of Chapman, Caleb Gotham isn’t even in baseball any! It’s either the Reds scouting department or the conditioning/medical team?
*major disappointment
I would also include Adonis Garcia as someone who could be traded in August. He has decent amount of power and he is not bad 3B and he is very affordable. He could net the Braves a prospect in the 25-30 range.