Fansided

MLB trade rumors: Each team’s best trade chip

By Joshua Sadlock

Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 9, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart (2) against the New York Yankees at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart (2) against the New York Yankees at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati Reds: Zack Cozart

Shortstop Zack Cozart has picked the right time to have a career year. The seven-year veteran will be a free agent at the end of the year and is outpacing his career OPS by over 300 points. Cozart has never come close to posting numbers that resemble his .344/.432/.622 with nine home runs and 33 RBI. He has almost topped his career high in walks by the beginning of June.

The Reds will have to think long and hard about whether or not they plan to attempt to keep Cozart in Cincinnati for the long haul. He looks like a completely different player and has already topped his career high in WAR. However, teams in the middle of a rebuild should typically shy away from handing out a four- or five-year deal to a shortstop who will be 32 in August.

Cozart would make an ideal rental for a contender. Simply enjoy the final few months of his breakout season and then move on without having to worry about whether or not his success is sustainable for the rest of his career. The Reds, meanwhile, cannot get too caught up in their run at contending to start the year. This is a team that is still a few years away due to their pitching staff. Because Joey Votto appears reluctant to waive his no-trade clause, Cozart is the last big trade piece the Reds have left to add to their farm system.

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