This offseason, the biggest moves so far have come via the trade market.
Due to the number of trades made so far, the free agent market has yet to heat up. Some of the biggest names on the open market, such as J.D. Martinez and Eric Hosmer, have yet to find a new home.
A handful of free agent players have been affected by the slow-moving market. If the market continues to work at this pace, free agents may have trouble landing the type of deal that they are currently seeking.
One player whose market hasn’t quite developed yet is Mike Moustakas. The 29-year-old is arguably coming off his best season, as he set career-highs in homers (38) and RBIs (85).
The demand for a player of Moustakas’ caliber should be high. However, if a market doesn’t emerge, Moustakas may not get the long-term deal that he is seeking.
If Moustakas struggles to find the right deal, could the New York Yankees be a potential fit?
Speculation and nothing more, at this point: One evaluator suggests that if Mike Moustakas’s slow-moving market doesn’t develop, he’d be a great one-year fit with the NYY. Play for a year in Yankee Stadium, feast on RF porch in a deep lineup, go back into market next fall.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 18, 2017
For Moustakas, playing in the Bronx for a season makes a lot of sense. As a pull hitter who has the tendency to hit a lot of fly balls, Yankee Stadium would be a great fit for his style of hitting.
About Mike Moustakas as a great fit for Yankee Stadium on a 1-year deal: 14th among all hitters in fly ball %, https://t.co/LQwdjANG3W 40th in pull %. https://t.co/Je9nvnwnzj Again: Only speculation, if he can’t find a suitable long-term deal elsewhere.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 18, 2017
Along with Yankee Stadium being a good match for Moustakas, the Bronx Bombers give Moustakas a chance to compete for a title. Moustakas would join an already strong Yankees lineup, and gives himself the opportunity to revaluate his market next offseason.
The Yankees are in “win-now” mode, but currently have holes at both second and third base. Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar are prospects that the Yankees have high hopes for, but it would be reassuring to have another veteran presence in the mix.
Not only would Moustakas buy time for the Yankees’ young talent to mature, but he would also immediately have an impact on the big league roster. Adding his left-handed bat could pay dividends to a lineup that is very heavy from the right side of the plate.
On a short-term deal, the Yankees wouldn’t have to break the bank to sign Moustakas. With the team looking to stay under the luxury tax, this could be intriguing to the front office.
This rumor is all based off speculation as of now, but it could become a fascinating match as the offseason rolls along. If Moustakas’ market continues to struggle, the Yankees might be able to swoop in and add another All-Star caliber piece to their roster.
