When the LA Angels signed third baseman/shortstop Zack Cozart to a three-year contract worth 38 million dollars in December of 2017 the Angels thought they had shored up the third base spot. Cozart was coming off a career year that saw him make the NL All-Star team and he received a donkey as a gift from Reds’ teammate Joey Votto for his accomplishment.
In 2017 Cozart hit .297 with 24 homers and 63 RBIs for the Reds which made him one of the most attractive free agents at third base next to the Brewers Mike Moustakas (who was on the Royals).