Pete Kozma On The Trading Block?

Mar 17, 2014; Fort Myers, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Kozma (38) turns a double play as Boston Red Sox first baseman

(23) slides into second base during the sixth inning at JetBlue Park. The Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The St Louis Cardinals never stop trying to improve their team. On Friday, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that their might be interest for Pete Kozma. Here is an excerpt from the article:

"Possibly in need of a spot on the 40-man roster for relief pitcher Pat Neshek, the Cardinals confront an excess of infielders that could be alleviated either through an option or a trade. Only a trade, a release or an outright assignment would create room on the 40-man.Kozma’s name has become the focus of rumors connecting the Cardinals with the Detroit Tigers, who recently learned starting shortstop Julio Iglesias will miss most or all of this season with stress fractures in both legs."

My Take: 

I am not quite sure what to think about this idea. On one hand, Pete Kozma has been replaced by Jhonny Peralta at shortstop. While he might say all the right thing, he would like the chance to prove that he can still play in Major League Baseball. On the other side, if Jhonny Peralta gets injured, the Cardinals are a little thinner at the shortstop position. Mark Ellis has played in some games at shortstop and so has Daniel Descalso but those players. If Peralta is only out for a few weeks, I assume it wouldn’t be a tragedy but I always like to be prepared for the worse.

Another thing to consider is that the Cardinals did sign Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz who is making his debut as we speak. If the Cardinals are very high on him and he performs to expectations, that makes Pete Kozma expendable. At the end of the day, if the Cardinals need to make room so they don’t lose a top pitching prospect to the Rule 5 draft, then they will make room. So it looks like Pete Kozma will be on the move.

What do you think about this potential trade? Tell us in the comment below!

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