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MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades Reds should make

By Nicholas Ian Allen

ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 21: Zack Cozart #2 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with Billy Hamilton #6 of the Cincinnati Reds after scoring in the top of the top pf the fifth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 21, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 21: Zack Cozart #2 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with Billy Hamilton #6 of the Cincinnati Reds after scoring in the top of the top pf the fifth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 21, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 09: Zack Cozart #2 of the Cincinnati Reds throws to first base after fielding a ground ball to short stop in the eighth inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Reds 7-2. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 09: Zack Cozart #2 of the Cincinnati Reds throws to first base after fielding a ground ball to short stop in the eighth inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Reds 7-2. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

Trade Zack Cozart to the Royals

Zack Cozart has been terrific for the Reds in 2017, hitting .316/.394/.547 with nine home runs, 18 doubles, six triples and 42 runs scored in 66 games. A 31-year-old with seven years of big league experience, Cozart is having by far his best offensive season – a major reason he was voted to start at shortstop for the National League in the All-Star Game.

Cozart is also a strong defender, which combined with his offensive performance has made him one of the best all-around players in the majors this season. In fact, at the All-Star break, Cozart ranked No. 15 in baseball in Wind Above Replacement (2.9) according to FanGraphs, a position he shared with Kris Bryant, Buster Posey and Nolan Arenado.

Though he is 31 years old and will be a free agent at the end of the season, there is a case to be made for the Reds to commit to Cozart long term instead of looking to trade him. His breakout performance at the plate might not be a fluke, but rather the product of a change in his approach, making it possible Cozart is simply a late bloomer that continues to develop. Could he be the next Justin Turner? It’s possible.

Of course, it’s also possible the 2017 season is a major outlier for Cozart. If the Reds believe that to be the case, the club should sell high on him. Though most contending teams are settled at shortstop, a franchise that would like to upgrade offensively at the position is Kansas City. Royals shortstops have hit .226/.242/.306 with an MLB low two home runs this season.

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