St. Louis Cardinals: Taking a Look at Former Cardinals in 2016

Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) celebrates his run with third baseman David Freese (6) against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Angels won 11-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) celebrates his run with third baseman David Freese (6) against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Angels won 11-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 25, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) is unable to put the tag on St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozm (38) as he slides home to score a run during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 25, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) is unable to put the tag on St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozm (38) as he slides home to score a run during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports /

Pete Kozma

Curiously Kozma was on the Cardinals’ roster all season last year, and I was extremely happy this winter when the Cardinals finally removed him from the 40 Man roster and he was subsequently claimed by the New York Yankees. Kozma was very good defensively at short and that is just about it, he wasn’t good enough for the Cardinals as the backup option and the team finally made that realization and let another team have him. He also is one of the Cardinals’ 30 worst players of all time in my opinion.

It is not even a guarantee that Kozma will make the New York roster, as he is a non roster invitee to the Yankees camp. Kozma is actually currently out with a lower back injury, that it is likely going to keep him out for a few weeks. I would not be surprised at all for Kozma to not make the Yankees roster, and to wind up either with Yankees AAA team or somewhere else.

Kozma simply doesn’t offer enough offense to be a major league shortstop as a starter or a backup, so unless a team is out of options defensively, he will likely be stuck moving back and forth from the minors to the majors. He just doesn’t offer enough to be a big league regular, but can fill in defensively if a club has enough offensive options and simply needs someone to man the shortstop position.

Next: A Knuckle Baller