Phillies: Comparing Mike Moustakas to Maikel Franco

UST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 17: Maikel Franco #7 of the the Philadelphia Phillies fields a ground ball against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium on May 17, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
UST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 17: Maikel Franco #7 of the the Philadelphia Phillies fields a ground ball against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium on May 17, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
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UST. LOUIS, MO – MAY 17: Maikel Franco #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies fields a ground ball against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium on May 17, 2018, in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The Phillies trade rumors are heating up before the deadline, and a name that keeps being mentioned is Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas.

For some time now, it has been clear that the Phillies would be buyers at the trade deadline.  It has also been made clear that Maikel Franco is available as a part of any trade that the club would see as an upgrade for their team.

NBC Sports Philadelphia reported that the Phillies are interested in trading for the Royals’ Mike Moustakas.  The clubs have engaged in talks and the Kansas City scouts have been monitoring some of the Phillies prospects.

This brings up the question: Would Moustakas be a better option at third base than Franco?  We will examine each player’s 2017 and 2018 season, up to this point, on offense and defense before making a decision.

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