REDS FREE AGENT COZART AGREES TO $38M DEAL WITH ANGELS
Former Cincinnati Reds All-Star shortstop Zack Cozart has agreed to a $38 million, three-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels and is likely to shift to third base.
Cozart gets $13 million in each of the next two seasons and $12 million in 2020 as part the deal announced Friday.
The 32-year-old was a first-time All-Star last season. He hit .297 with 24 homers and 63 RBIs.
Cozart has a .254 average in seven big league seasons, all with Cincinnati.
Gold Glove winner Andrelton Simmons is at shortstop for the Angels.
Yunel Esc o bar is not expected to return at third after struggling with inju- ries this year.
Los Angeles reached an agreement last week with Japanese pitcher/ outfielder Shohei Ohtani
a nd acquired second baseman Ian Kinsler from Detroit at the winter meet- ings this week in Florida.
Santana to leave Indians for Phillies
Two people familiar with the situation say the Phillies and veteran first baseman Carlos Santana have agreed to a threeyear, $60 million deal.
The people spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because the agreement is contingent on Santana pass- ing a physical.
The 31-year-old Santana
hit 23 home runs and had 79 RBIs with Cleveland last season, where he had spent all eight years of his career. He started as a catcher in 2010 and shifted to first base in 2015.
Santana has a .249 career batting average and .445 slugging percentage.
Philadelphia is looking to boost its offense after finishing last in the NL East at 66-96. Its top slugger last year was third baseman Maikel Franco, who had 24 home runs.