Angels five worst signings of the past decade

4) Zack Cozart

3-years, $38 million

When general manager Billy Eppler decided to sign shortstop Zack Cozart to a three-year, $38 million contract in 2017, he didn’t really have a position for him. The Angels already employed the best defensive shortstop in the game in Andrelton Simmons, and as they negotiated the final terms to sign Cozart, Eppler traded for veteran Ian Kinsler. Cozart would eventually move to third base, a position he had never played before in the majors.

Cozart lasted two months into the 2018 season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He played only 58 games in his debut season with the Halos, batting an anemic .219 with an even worse .296 on-base percentage.

The 34-year-old infielder returned to the Angels lineup in 2019, but once again, suffered an early season injury to his shoulder that forced him to miss the remainder of the season. His production at the plate was even worse than the season before, as he failed to reach the Mendoza Line, swinging to a .124/.178/.144 slash line that would make some hitting pitchers look bad.

Cozart’s tenure with the Angels ended this past offseason when he was traded along with Will Wilson to the Giants. He was released one month later.