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Phillies: Bryce Harper domino effect could last decades

By George Stockburger

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals rounds second base to score on Daniel Murphy #20's (not pictured) game winning double in the tenth inning during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on April 14, 2017 in Washington, D.C. The Nationals won 3-2 in ten innings. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals rounds second base to score on Daniel Murphy #20's (not pictured) game winning double in the tenth inning during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on April 14, 2017 in Washington, D.C. The Nationals won 3-2 in ten innings. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 05: Mike Moustakas #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a double in the fourth inning of Game Two of the National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park on October 5, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 05: Mike Moustakas #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a double in the fourth inning of Game Two of the National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park on October 5, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Mike Moustakas is signed to a short-term deal

Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported earlier this month that if the Phillies do not sign Manny Machado they’ve been monitoring the market for third baseman Mike Moustakas.

The slugging third baseman was left out to dry in the free agent market last year and signed a one year deal to return to the Royals before being traded to Milwaukee. Moustakas has hit 66 home runs over the last two seasons but hasn’t gotten many bites in his last two tours of free agency.

It sounds as if the Phillies are ready to move on from Maikel Franco, who was thought to be the next great Phillies third baseman, the best since Scott Rolen was traded. Franco has had ups and downs throughout his career and the Phillies want more consistency while they await top prospect Alec Bohm to develop.

CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 29: Mike Moustakas #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a home run in the 8th inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 29, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 29: Mike Moustakas #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a home run in the 8th inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 29, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Moustakas would bring balance to the Phillies lineup as a left-handed bat, potentially joining Harper and Herrera on the left-hand side of the plate. Throw in switch-hitter Cesar Hernandez and you could have a very balanced lineup every day.

Morosi also notes that Moustakas’ agent is Scott Boras, whom the Phillies will be negotiating with to acquire Harper. Would Boras play the agent game in the Phillies favor to get two of his clients signed? Make sure that the Phillies sign Harper over Machado to keep open the possibility they sign Moustakas to play third?

Moustakas would be an excellent addition to the lineup that could give Philadelphia an incredible trio of power hitters, joining Harper and Rhys Hoskins. You could even throw McCutchen in that conversation as well.

Harper, Moustakas, Hoskins, McCutchen isn’t murderer’s row, but it’d be a scary combination to face every night. Mixing those lefties and righties in the middle of the lineup will cause trouble for opposing bullpens late in games and force them to pitch to a young guy like Hoskins and give him opportunities he’s never had with no one legitimate batting behind him.

Adding Moustakas only means good things for the Phillies, and they could get him for three years at a decent price thanks to their relationship with Boras.

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