Phillies trade rumors: Mike Moustakas the name to watch at the deadline
Phillies trade rumors are popping up and another third baseman is a potential target
Phillies trade rumors are typically about who the team can get rid of at the trade deadline, but this year with the team playing over .500 and the division in reach, they could be buyers this time around.
Orioles shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado will be the hot name in free agency, but whether the Orioles move him is an unknown. Owner Peter Angelos is often unwilling to trade his star players, even if they’re in a contract year. Regardless, teams may not offer the Orioles market value for Machado with him entering free agency this winter.
Another option for the Phillies at the trade deadline is Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas, a two-time All-Star who hit 38 home runs last year.
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Moustakas spent most of the offseason as a free agent before re-signing with Kansas City on a one-year deal with a mutual option worth $11 million. Should Moustakas and whichever team holds his contract at the end of the year decide not to vest the mutual option, Moustakas will receive $1 million as a buyout.
Through 65 games Moustakas is hitting .267 with 13 home runs with a 2:1 strikeout-walk ratio.
Moustakas could be a solid rental for the Phillies for a summer playoff run and potentially next year if they can agree to the mutual option or a contract extension. Maikel Franco simply hasn’t developed into the star many saw and J.P. Crawford isn’t a natural third baseman.
First round pick Alec Bohm projects to move through the organization quickly, and could be the future at the hot corner after a couple of years in the minors.
Because Moustakas is likely a rental the price for him at the deadline won’t be overwhelming. Here’s a trade we put out on Twitter that received a solid reception involving Franco.
Franco would clear room in an infield logjam, and he’s still under club control through the 2021 season with three years of arbitration. Kilome is the Phillies seventh overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline, but he’s slipped among pitching prospects behind Sixto Sanchez, Adonis Medina, and JoJo Romero.
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Moustakas brings a championship pedigree and another veteran voice to the youngest clubhouse in baseball. It’s a deal that will cost less than Machado, and likely give you similar results by seasons end. Phillies trade rumors will be abundant this summer, and Moustakas will be talked about heavily.