Think Miguel Andujar should be the Opening Day third baseman for the New York Yankees? The team is still exploring other options—namely Mike Moustakas.
On Monday while serving as a guest on “The Michael Kay Show,” ESPN’s Buster Onley revealed that when it comes to free agent third baseman Mike Moustakas, the New York Yankees are reportedly “circling [him] like a shark.”
Olney: Yankees “circling like a shark” Mike Moustakas
— Dylan Farella (@dfarella) February 19, 2018
“I want to make this clear,” Olney continued. “It still may well be a long shot, because the only way that Moustakas to the Yankees happens is if he and his agent, Scott Boras, basically wave the white flag on the winter and say ‘you know what, forget our expectations, we’re going to have to take a team-friendly deal.’ And where is the best place for Mike to land? I think if you’re trying to reset him and put him back in the marketplace, the Yankees wouldn’t actually be a bad fit compared to some of the other options that might be out there for him.”
With Spring Training underway and a lack of offers on the table, it makes sense that Moustakas and Boras would at least be open to listening to what the Yankees have to offer.
That said, the team does want to remain under the luxury tax threshold and would seemingly only do a deal with the two time All-Star if it is at the right price—and length.
The Kansas City Royals offered Moustakas a qualifying offer, which he declined, and would receive compensation in the form of a draft pick by the Yankees or any other team that may eventually sign him.
While the Yankees do highly value third base prospect Miguel Andujar and potentially see him as the starter this season, they are still concerned about his defense. A short-term deal with Moustakas could allow Andujar more time to work on his defense before eventually taking over in the majors.
Moustakas, 29, is coming off a career-year that saw him set new highs in home runs (38), RBI (85), slugging percentage (.521), OPS (.835), and runs scored (75).
