Cozart's brutally honest wife helped convince him to play 3B for Angels

Every single defensive rep Zack Cozart has taken in his seven-year MLB career has come at shortstop. This will change in 2018 when he moves over to the hot corner with his new team, the Los Angeles Angels.

With defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons firmly entrenched at the position, Cozart expected to play second base before his deal was finalized. Then, with the Angels on the verge of acquiring Ian Kinsler, general manager Billy Eppler called and asked Cozart if he would be willing to switch to third base instead. Though he was initially unsure, Cozart's wife, Chelsea, gave him the nudge he needed, according to The Athletic's Pedro Moura.

"Quit being a baby," she said. "Do you want to go play for the (Cincinnati) Reds, or do you want to play for the Angels? One team's trying to win."

The Angels were one of baseball's busiest teams this offseason, bolstering a roster that has only reached the postseason once (in 2014) since Mike Trout burst onto the scene in 2011. They signed international superstar Shohei Ohtani, extended Justin Upton, and acquired Kinsler from the Detroit Tigers.

"Man, the Angels are getting after it," Cozart said. "Which was enticing to me, because I'm like, 'Man, I've been on the Reds.' The first two years of my career, playoffs. The last four have been horrendous."

In addition to being a solid defender, the Angels are hoping the 32-year-old can build on a career season at the dish. Cozart was an All-Star for the first time in 2017 thanks to hitting .297/.385/.548 with 24 home runs, 80 runs scored, and 63 RBIs in 122 games.