The market for shortstops this offseason is quite dry. Reds free agency includes Zack Cozart, it’s important that he markets himself as a utility man and not just a shortstop.
Ex-Cincinnati Reds shortstop and current Reds free agency target Zack Cozart is a baseball nomad right now hoping to find the right fit for 2018. Like a few other shortstops in recent free agent memory can attest to, it’s not a very good market. Many of baseball’s best teams are already secure at the position. Others have youngsters they want to see play. This leaves Cozart in a bind.
A quick look around the league, and it’s very clear how few organizations need a shortstop. Other than perhaps the San Diego Padres, there is no great need. The position is deep across the MLB landscape. Because of this, Cozart needs to market himself a little differently this offseason.
Rather than strictly stick with shortstop, Cozart must be open to playing other positions. Unfortunately, since debuting in 2011 with the Reds, the 32-year-old has never played anywhere else. He’ll have to wow general managers with a great cover letter instead of sticking with his resume.
Even with a shortstop, shortstop is one of the more difficult positions to play in baseball. Many who master that position can also do good work elsewhere. Based on Cozart’s consistency at rating positively on defense, I have no doubt he can play just about anywhere his manager asks. The question is, who will be his manager?
Where Will Cozart Play in 2018?
Good defense is only one part of Cozart’s game that should earn him a decent payday this offseason. He’s coming off of a career-year at the plate which helped earn him a starting role in the All-Star Game. In his 507 trips to the plate this season, Cozart slashed a tremendous .297/.385/.548. He knocked 24 home runs and drove in 63.
Teammate Joey Votto may have rubbed off on Cozart. Not known for plate discipline, Cozart drew 62 walks against 78 strikeouts. A year earlier he walked 37 times while striking out 84 times. Much earlier in Cozart’s career he was walking far less and striking out at a higher rate. This newfound respect for the strike zone paid off in big ways and should benefit him moving forward.
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Cozart can find a fit with a team in need of a second baseman or third baseman next year. The better option, though, would be with a team looking for a guy to even take over a few games in the outfield. Cozart must evolve into a Ben Zobrist at this stage of his career.
Last winter, Ian Desmond went into the free agent pot after a productive season with the Texas Rangers. He managed to land a big deal with the Colorado Rockies with the assumption that he’d play multiple positions. A year earlier, Desmond wasn’t nearly as lucky. He had to settle with the Rangers on a one-year deal. An added caveat to that contract, Desmond was shuffled into the outfield. His willingness to undergo a change led to his deal with the Rockies a year later.
There are a few major differences between Cozart and Desmond. Desmond had been a much better hitter in his career, but also a pretty terrible defender at times. It made sense for a team like the Rangers to take him away from shortstop and use his bat to their advantage. Cozart’s great year at the plate in 2017 could help him out even more with the added benefit of actually playing the field quite well.
While the free agent market for his services is far from ideal, Cozart will find a home with a team in MLB. He might have to wait a little longer than he deserves. If done right, a match could arise, and Cozart can reinvent himself as a far more marketable player with more opportunities.
If willing, the sky is the limit as to where Cozart could play in 2018. The Reds free agency decision to not extend a qualifying offer doesn’t mean much other than their disinterest in overpaying for one year. While he could always return to the only big league team he has ever known, there are other opportunities out there.