Yankees Rumors: Mike Moustakas interests Yanks as first baseman

According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the Yankees are interested in potentially trading for two-time All-Star third baseman Mike Moustakas. However, all intentions would be to move him across the field to play first base.

In an effort to solidify the first base position while also adding a consistent left-handed power bat to the middle of the lineup, the Yankees are rumored to be interested in trading for Mike Moustakas, despite the fact he’s only played two career games at first base.

Moustakas, who has been out of action since Monday due to back spasms has excellent power stats this season: 16 home runs, 53 RBI and a .784 OPS. His average and OPB may leave a bit to be desired at .253 BA and .312 OBP, but both are still higher than his career .252 BA and .306 OBP.

Coming off a career year in 2017, one where the then 28-year-old hit .272 with a .835 OPS, 38 home runs and 85 RBI, Moustakas was unable to find a lucrative long-term deal during the offseason, forcing him back to the Royals on a club-friendly one-year, $6.5 million contract.

What a trade for a player of Moustakas’ ability would look like remains to be seen. However, with all intentions of re-entering free agency this winter, in search of that big payday, the Royals cannot hold out for a king’s ransom.

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At 25-61, dead last in the AL Central, the Royals need to begin their rebuild now, and Moose could be the first of many veteran players dealt away for prospects, namely Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy and perhaps even Sal Perez.

Adding the remaining $3 million or so on Moose’s deal would allow the Yanks to acquire a pitcher such as J.A. Happ and still stay below the $197 million luxury tax threshold.

With Yankees first baseman currently ranking in the bottom five in baseball with a -0.5fWAR, Moustakas’ 1.5fWAR would bring some much-needed consistency to the position — and one less thing for rookie manager Aaron Boone to contend with as the Postseason approaches.

If the Yanks were to acquire Moose, what, with his 918 games played in parts of eight seasons and career 13.2 WAR, he wouldn’t be in pinstripes to merely pinch-hit. What that would do to the maturation of Greg Bird, is anyone’s guess.

It would definitely make Neil Walker expendable, not only since Moose plays an excellent third base, but as of now, Brandon Drury and his 1067 career innings at second base remain on the 25-man roster.

Next: Bryce Harper to the Bronx as a first baseman?

Whether you like the idea of Moustakas’ bat in the Bronx, are worried about his inexperience playing first base or are still all-in on Greg Bird, it does appear the Yankees are in the market to better the club sooner rather than later.