SAN DIEGO (KMOX) - In the last of our daily "Moments with Mo" conversation from the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego, we discussed a new rule that could take effect in 2020 that would allow all teams to add one position player to their rosters. It would be the 26th man and St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak says it could be a great reason for them to retain outfielder Jose Martinez.
The rule is reportedly nearing agreement between MLB and the players' union.
That new rule could have a big effect on Martinez's position in St. Louis, as a guy who has been involved in trade rumors for the past two seasons. Many believe his electric bat, but shakey glove make him a perfect DH in the American League. And St. Louis' surplus of young outfielder prospects lead to some to believe he's taking someone else's spot.
Our Chris Hrabe asked Mozeliak what the new rule could do for an asset like Martinez, who has a career .298 batting average and hit 41 home runs over the last three seasons in limited playing time.
"It gives us a reason where we have a lot more opportunity to retain him and use him in a way that makes a lot more sense for us moving forward," Mozeliak says.
Martinez signed a two-year $3.25 million contract with St. Louis in the spring and will be arbitration-eligible after the 2020 season.
You can see more of the conversation we had with Mozeliak in the video at the top of this page.
Our week at the Winter Meetings is sponsored by Goodwill. Donate a car to Goodwill and you can receive four free Field Box tickets for an upcoming Cardinals game.