Angels grab All-Star Cozart with $38M, 3-year deal

ANAHEIM » After spending his entire career at shortstop in Cincinnati, Zack Cozart was willing to switch positions for the chance to join the Los Angeles Angels’ promising lineup.

The All-Star infielder agreed to a $38 million, three-year contract with the Angels on Friday, also agreeing to play third base in an infield suddenly packed with veteran talent.

“It’s just going to be a fun team to be around,” Cozart said.

Cozart gets $13,666,666 next season and $13,666,667 in each of the final two years of the deal.

With Gold Glove winner Andrelton Simmons already at shortstop, Angels general manager Billy Eppler initially was interested in signing Cozart to play second base. But then Eppler managed to swing a trade to acquire second baseman Ian Kinsler from Detroit on Wednesday.

“He said, ‘If this is going to help us get into October, I’m all for it,’” Eppler recalled.

“I’ve been on some bad teams lately,” Cozart said of the Reds, who have lost at least 94 games for three straight years. “When I found out the Angels were interested, that was one of the big things for me.”

Cozart was a first-time AllStar this year, hitting .297 with 24 homers and 63 RBIs — all career bests.

Rockies finalize deals with Shaw, McGee

DENVER » Colorado finalized $27 million, three-year contracts with right-hander Bryan Shaw and lefty Jake McGee on Friday, moves the Rockies hope will fortify their bullpen.

The 30-year-old Shaw was 4-6 with three saves and a 3.52 ERA last season for Cleveland. His 475 appearances since his 2011 debut are the third-most among relief pitchers in that span.