The Seattle Mariners are reportedly closing in on a trade that would send Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart to the Mariners.
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Even though the Seattle Mariners traded Wade Miley to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday July 31, the Mariners aren’t necessarily sellers at the 2016 MLB trade deadline. They are looking to improve their team for this year and next year. According to Bob Dutton of The News Tribune, the Mariners are closing in on Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart.
Cozart would represent an upgrade for the Mariners. He is also under team control through next season and eligible for arbitration after this season. Cozart has tied his career high in 2016 with 15 home runs and has a career high .266 batting average through August 1. His .779 OPS is also a career high.
No word on what kind of return the Reds are seeking for Cozart, but it would be worth it for the Mariners to acquire him. Not only is he an upgrade over what the Mariners have now in Sean O’Malley, Cozart would allow the Mariners to let Ketel Marte, who is currently battling mono, to develop in AAA for next season. If they decide that Marte is ready to start next season, they could always trade Cozart this offseason.
Cozart has a career .248 batting average with 57 home runs and 554 career hits. Though his career OPS of .679 isn’t that impressive, he has had an OPS+ of at least 100 in 2015 and 2016. He is above average defensively as well.
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