Kansas City Royals: Five Potential Landing Spots for Mike Moustakas
Mar 19, 2017; Mesa, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas (8) waits on deck against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Royals core four has grown up. They're getting too expensive, and Mike Moustakas is not the favorite.
The Kansas City Royals changed the way general managers approach the game. There is no denying that. Their back-to-back appearances in the World Series were a showcase of sorts, presenting to the rest of the league that defense and bullpen arms deserve more thought. As the saying goes, however, all good things must come to an end, and the Royals' run for glory is no exception. Kansas City's Core Four will run into the day they go their separate ways this coming off-season. KC can't keep them all, and Mike Moustakas is likely on the way out.
Signing all of Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, and Alcides Escobar will be far too expensive for the Royals, whose typically low payroll broke over $140 million in 2016, a franchise record. Signing all four of their stars will put their payroll into at least the upper third in the league's rankings. The only talks of extension to date have been with Hosmer. Moustakas makes $8.7 million this year before he hits free agency, where he will command much more.
There isn't a large possibility of Kansas City extending Mike Moustakas a qualifying offer. It makes sense with Moustakas being the second youngest of the core group at 28, especially if talks with Hosmer fails, but paying an $18 million QO wouldn't be of interest to Kansas City. Even if Moustakas has a year similar to his all-star 2015, Hosmer is still KC's #1. While there is the option of a deadline trade, we're going to proceed as though no deal is made. No team expecting to contend this year is in dire need of a third baseman, so this situation is easily overlooked. Here are five teams who are likely to be in the running to ink Moustakas this coming winter.
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5. Toronto Blue Jays
Josh Donaldson is arguably the best third baseman in the league, depending on who you ask. Some would say Kris Bryant, and they would be jumping the gun on that. Anyway, it would seem nuts for the Toronto Blue Jays to sign Mike Moustakas. That is, until you realize the Jays are headed toward at least a crafty reload. Edwin Encarnacion and Michael Saunders left, as did a few more. Jose Bautista, now 36, tried to leave, and only came back because nobody likes him.
There's a lot of money coming off Toronto's books in the next couple of years. A smart move would be to pick up Mike Moustakas and trade former MVP Josh Donaldson. As painful, and as nonsensical as it sounds, it would be a very smart move for the Blue Jays. The Jays farm currently sits roughly in the middle of the pack, so they could definitely use the lift.
Donaldson is a three time all-star who has won a silver slugger twice, and has received MVP votes in all four full seasons he's played. A player of his caliber would demand a massive return, especially considering he's under team control through 2018.
Moustakas would be an excellent player to help keep the team afloat until the minor league talent they received from the trade comes knocking. Moustakas would also bridge the gap until Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 2021 ETA, and the Jays' cash frees up. This isn't a highly plausible situation, but it's one for Blue Jays fans to keep in mind so as to not be too surprised.
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4. Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians looking to sign Mike Moustakas may be a bit of a stretch. As things stand right now, the reigning American League champions don't have much space for such a signing. This situation only becomes more probable with the Tribe clearing money by choosing not to re-sign one or both of two key players.
First baseman Carlos Santana is in the last year of his contract. Michael Brantley faces an $11 million team option for 2018. They both may prove to be too costly after the addition of Edwin Encarnacion. Brantley is coming off arm surgery that ended his 2016. He's been injury plagued the last couple of seasons, so we'll find out this year if he's the player he was before his problems began.
Santana was the heart of the batting order for Cleveland in Brantley's absence. With his success in Cleveland, Santana is more likely to pursue other teams. Encarnacion is expected to step in at first base full time once he does. This leaves a hole at left field, and DH. Jose Ramirez is a talent the Tribe already has, and he's more than capable of filling the left field gap.
If the Indians decline Brantley's option, signing Mike Moustakas to play third makes some sense. Moustakas is not the offensive threat to the same degree as Brantley or Santana, but Moustakas does bring as much value as Mike Napoli did last season. Bringing Moustakas' services to Cleveland will allow the team to continue with a similar level of run production that got them to the World Series last year.
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3. St. Louis Cardinals
Jhonny Peralta has been a sound contributor for the St. Louis Cardinals since coming over from the Detroit Tigers after the 2013 season. That year, he signed a four year, $52 million deal to join the Red Birds. That contract expires at the end of this year.
The seven time all-star was the starting third baseman at the end of 2016, and had a strong ending to the year. Peralta is entering his age 35 season, however. Consistent reports of the Cardinals pursuing Justin Turner surfaced throughout the off-season, leading some to believe St. Louis is looking to move on without the aging Peralta.
The decision wouldn't be unexpected. After starting out 2016 on the DL, Peralta didn't perform in the 82 games he played. His season was worth -0.4 Wins Above Replacement with poor hitting and below-average defense.
If the Cardinals wish to keep Matt Carpenter in a utility role similar to that of the Chicago Cubs' Ben Zobrist, signing Mike Moustakas is a good move. Mike Moustakas fits well in St. Louis, pending the exit of Peralta. A true third baseman, Moustakas' presence would free Carpenter up to fill other positions more frequently.
Mike Moustakas is still young enough to be considered a long term piece for the perennial contender the Cardinals have long proven to be. The team can take a few different routes, however. They could instead make a run for fellow Royal Alcides Escobar and have Carpenter take up most of the third base duties. Escobar isn't a great hitter, so it's more likely Moustakas gets the offer.
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2. Los Angeles Angels
Currently entrenched at the hot corner for the Los Angeles Angels is Yunel Escobar. The former shortstop turned third baseman is on the last year of his contract, and the Angels will likely let him leave. Escobar, 34, is entering the later years of his career. He has sported a defense in decline since 2013 with the Tampa Bay Rays. Offensively, he's been at or above league average, in terms of OPS+, over the last four years.
The Angels are a reasonable fit for Mike Moustakas. Infield utility man and designated hitter Luis Valbuena was brought in during the off-season as a versatility and depth move. With Escobar gone, LA should keep Valbuena in the utility role and sign Moustakas as the everyday player. Moustakas will offer the same value at the plate as Escobar, while being a much-needed upgrade in the field.
Leaving Valbuena as a utility/bench option would benefit LA immensely. Los Angeles suffered a disappointing 2016 due to injuries. Their lack of quality depth was exposed, and the season was quickly lost. Longtime manager Mike Scioscia needs as much production from his position players as he can with a bullpen projected to be among the worst in baseball again.
The front office will be relieved of the remaining $26.41 million of Josh Hamilton's contract at the conclusion of 2017, leaving them free to pursue Moustakas. If the front office is serious about avoiding a rebuild, it will take cash to remain relevant in the American League West as they slowly patch a hole at a time on the big league roster.
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
1. Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves haven't seen steady production out of any player to step in at third since future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones retired in 2012. Chris Johnson was used at third for a time. He even competed for a batting title in 2013, hitting .321 and finishing second to Michael Cuddyer. However, his defense was poor and his bat trailed off after that year.
This is the opportunity for Atlanta to finally lock down some stability at third. Adonis Garcia has been their man for a time, and he's a fine option in the short term. Garcia's defense is what kills his value. His offense is about as good as his defense is bad. This forced the Braves to explore this spring the idea of Rio Ruiz as either the starter or platoon mate. Ruiz has question marks as well. Garcia's defense improved over the course of last year, so this is a development to keep an eye on.
Going with Mike Moustakas over Garcia or Ruiz would allow Atlanta some positional depth and a potential trade piece, while offering the defense they've lacked and a lefty bat they could use. Moustakas is a proven winner and a known commodity with a long track record, while Atlanta's other options come with more risk. General Manager John Coppolella has worked tirelessly over the last few seasons to open some cash for this off-season's free agent class. They can afford to make this move.
The team's only question marks for the future are third base and catcher. With the franchise set to break out in the next season or two, there is no better timing than now to pursue these pieces.
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