It appeared all along that the Giants' acquisition of Cozart from the Angels in December, which also netted them prospect Will Wilson, was nothing more than a salary dump by the Angels, and Cozart's release confirms that. With Cozart now 34 years old and coming off two seasons of major injury trouble, he'll likely be looking for a minor-league deal with his next team.

Cozart was picked up in a salary dump from the Angels in December, but the Giants clearly didn't intend to keep him around. It's unlikely he'll be claimed, as he's dealt with multiple injuries in recent years and has hit .190/.261/.296 over the last two seasons combined. Jake Jewell was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move.

The trade is a clear salary dump for the Angels, who have been connected to most of the top free agents on the market this winter. Injuries have limited Cozart to just 96 major-league games since he signed with the Angels prior to the 2018 season for three years and $38 million. He's been quite poor in those games, hitting .190/.261/.296, so the Giants will get the Angels' 2019 first-round pick (Wilson) in exchange for taking on his contract. Whether the Giants have any intention of having the 34-year-old compete for a roster spot this spring remains to be seen.

Shoulder injuries have limited Cozart to just 96 games over the last two years combined. He hit just .124/.178/.144 in 38 contests last season before undergoing an arthroscopic debridement procedure in mid-July. He has plenty of time to get ready for the 2020 season, though it's hard to have much confidence in his health heading into his age-34 season.