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3 Reasons Why Mike Moustakas Would Be Good Fit for Phillies

By Matt Rappa

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 16: Mike Moustakas #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers in action during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 16: Mike Moustakas #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers in action during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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1. Affordability

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: The Washington Nationals, including Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) holding trophy, celebrate beating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game 7 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: The Washington Nationals, including Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) holding trophy, celebrate beating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game 7 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

The Phillies are making every effort to not exceeded the tax threshold, a feat the organization has never done. Just as Salisbury says signing catcher J.T. Realmuto to a contract extension “might take some time,” signing Donaldson or Rendon would move the needle closer to that threshold than what signing Moustakas would do.

“[Rendon] is going to be seeking big years and big, big dollars,” Salisbury said of the seven-year veteran, who is coming off of a strong 2019 World Series-clinching showing in which he slugged two home runs and eight RBI in the seven-game series. “Donaldson wants a longer-term deal than what I think Moustakas would get.”

Donaldson himself contributed for the Atlanta Braves this past postseason, producing a double, home run and three RBI in the Braves’ series defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals. After hitting only eight home runs and 23 RBI in 52 games in 2018, the nine-year veteran had a comeback year in 2019, slugging 37 home runs and 94 RBI, his most in either category since his most recent All-Star season in 2016 with the Toronto Blue Jays.

RELATED | Should Phillies pursue Josh Donaldson this offseason?

Salisbury notes that if the Phillies spent the bulk of their “free-agent resources” on Rendon, for example, while he would be a “great addition” to the lineup, he would limit what the team could do where their biggest need is.

“… And that, in my opinion, is the starting rotation,” Salisbury said. “They need to go out and address their starting rotation and use the bulk of their free-agent resources (i.e., dollars) in solidifying and improving that rotation.”

Owner John Middleton has already said that he will not go over the luxury tax threshold so the team has “a better chance to be the second wild-card.” He continues:

"“That’s not going to happen. I think you go over the luxury tax when you’re fighting for the World Series. If you have to sign Cliff Lee and that puts you over the tax, you do it. If you have to trade for Roy Halladay and sign him to an extension and that puts you over the tax, you do it. But you don’t do it for a little gain.”"

While Rendon would significantly improve the Phillies’ offensive production, chances of both addressing and improving their starting rotation would be significantly hindered by signing him, and even Donaldson.

The organization would have to pay 20 percent on every dollar that they go over the luxury tax threshold. Moustakas has not yet earned more than $8.7 million in a season, and, coming off of consecutive one-year deals not exceeding $7 million, he surely would be a much cheaper option as opposed to Rendon or Donaldson.

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