Should The Cincinnati Reds Trade Shortstop Zack Cozart?

While Cincinnati sits fourth in the NL Central, the Reds are just four games behind the division leading Milwaukee Brewers. With more than half the season remaining, the team has more than enough time to make a playoff run. If the Reds do want to make it back to the postseason, they will have to rely on their overwhelming offense. Currently, Cincinnati holds the sixth highest batting average (.265) and fifth highest slugging percentage (.451), while scoring the seventh most runs scored (223) in the MLB. If the Reds continue at this pace, there’s a chance they slug their way into the playoffs.

However, Cincinnati’s pitching staff could be the downfall to those playoff hopes. The Reds currently have the sixth worst ERA in the MLB with a 4.69 clip. The team also sits 26th in the MLB with just 16 quality starts, and 28th in the league with 182 walks allowed.

Even with Scott Feldman and rookie Amir Garrett pumping out impressive starts, it’s hard to see Cincinnati’s current pitching rotation leading them to the playoffs. The Reds could certainly trade for a starting pitcher at the Trade Deadline to bolster said rotation, but it doesn’t make much sense for the team to their coveted prospects if they aren’t World Series ready.

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What makes more sense is for Cincinnati to move some of their MLB talent for pitching prospects in an effort to improve their rotation of the future. Per MLB Pipeline, of the Reds top ten prospects, only three are starting pitchers. Cincinnati should look to add more young pitching talent to an already impressive offensive dynamo.

One player who could be on the move is shortstop Zack Cozart. Cozart was the focus of multiple trade rumors last season and was reportedly almost dealt to the Seattle Mariners near the Trade Deadline.

For his seven year career, Cozart has appeared in 658 games, hitting .252 with 62 home runs, 238 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.

The Reds’ shortstop has only increased his trade value by getting out to an impressive start in 2017, hitting .348 with four home runs, 21 RBIs and two stolen bases.

It’s hard to find a shortstop with Cozart’s offensive ability at the Trade Deadline. As team’s begin to make their final push towards the World Series, adding someone like Cozart could be the missing piece for a potential contender. Adding a shortstop of Cozart’s talent that late in the game could be the difference between first round exit and World Series champions.

If the Reds were to make Cozart available, they would certainly see advanced interest from a multitude of teams. But outside of market, Cincinnati should have more than enough reasons to move their prized shortstop.

Don’t Let Him Walk For Free

Zack Cozart is a free agent in 2018, and while it may hurt what the Reds could receive in a trade package, it should only give Cincinnati more incentive to move him.

Going on age 32, it’s unlikely that Cozart would be willing to remain on a youth-minded team like the Reds. There’s a good chance he looks for an opportunity where he can compete for the World Series. If that becomes the case, the Reds would essentially be losing Cozart for nothing.

Rather than seeing Cozart walk for free, Cincinnati could look to move him, adding a few impact prospects in the process. This way the team is able to use Cozart’ to the best of their abilities, even if he isn’t playing in Cincinnati.

Waiting In The Wings

The Cincinnati Reds may already have Cozart’s replacement in Dilson Herrera. Acquired in last year’s Jay Bruce trade, Herrera offers a solid blend of speed and power. In 597 minor league games, Herrera has hit .295 with 63 home runs, 323 RBIs and 85 stolen bases.

Pairing him with Jose Peraza would give the Reds one of the highest upside middle infields in the National League.

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By moving Cozart the Reds are able to see what they have in Herrera. While the former Met has struggled during his brief stint in the major leagues, he has all the makings of a long-term MLB shortstop. As soon as Cozart is moved, the closer the Herrera era becomes, and sooner rather than later, one of the Reds best young prospects will begin his long-term stay in the MLB.

Not So Fast…

You would think that adding new prospects to the farm system, avoiding having Cozart walk for nothing and already having his replacement in the minors would be enough reason to move the shortstop.

However some in the media aren’t sold, and believe that Cincinnati should hold on to their star shortstop.

ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian recently spoke to Justin Kinner of ESPN 1410 about the prospect’s of trading Cozart.

Starting around the six minute market, Kurkjian suggests that the Reds actually hold on to Cozart rather than move him. While he agrees that the shortstop will have a robust market, he thinks that Cozart is apart of the Reds core and could help lead the next generation into the postseason.

John Fay of WCPO Cincinnati agrees with Kurkjian in that Cozart should stay. He argues that moving Cozart weakens the Reds in 2017 and could weaken them going forward. Fay argues that while the time may seem perfect for a Cozart trade, the shortstop is a down to earth guy who could be willing to stick around during the “rebuild” in hopes of leading the Reds back to the playoffs.

Conclusion

Both Kurkjian and Fay have optimistic outlooks for the Cincinnati Reds. Both feel that Cozart could help the team now and his current value is more important than the prospects the team could potentially receive.

To an extent that makes sense. The Reds have one of the better offenses in the MLB and there it would be tough to break it up. However, the chances of the Reds making the playoffs if the Cubs turn it around and the Brewers maintaining success are slim. It makes more sense to cash in on Cozart’s breakout year than keeping him in hopes that he takes a team-friendly deal.

The Reds have one of the worst, if not the worst pitching staff in the MLB. Moving a guy like Cozart would help Cincinnati add young pitching talent, bolstering their rotation of the future. If the team is able to build off of impressive start Amir Garret and continue swinging a hot bat, the Reds could make it back to the playoffs in 2-3 years.

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All of that starts with the Reds moving Cozart.

Zack Cozart has been a vital part of the Cincinnati Reds for the past seven seasons, but his time has come. The Reds need to move the veteran in an effort to continue their youth movement and a way to improve their weakest link, the starting rotation.

What do you think Reds’ fans? Agree? Disagree? Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @blogredmachine or @DFappiano14