Kansas City Royals facing obstacles in potential Mike Moustakas trade
The Kansas City Royals are likely to be sellers at the trade deadline. However, they may not get nearly the return hoped for in exchange for their biggest star.
At this point, it is fair to expect that the Kansas City Royals will be sellers come the trade deadline. As the calendar flips to May, the Royals sit in the basement of the American League Central, a team whose postseason chances may have already come to an end. It is a time for any general manager to examine the roster, and see which pieces could be turned into assets for the future.
In theory, one of those assets would be Mike Moustakas. The slugging third baseman has been a two time All Star, and set the Royals single season record with 38 homers last season. He has been one of the few bright spots on a Kansas City team that has been devoid of any real offense, leading the team in homers and OPS. Moustakas would seemingly be the type of player, especially on a one year deal with a mutual option, that a team would have interest in.
At least, that would be the case in theory. Instead, Moustakas may not be quite the hot commodity on the trade market. As Ken Rosenthal pointed out in his latest video on Twitter, he could be a difficult asset to move this summer.
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First, let us look at the potential need. Aside from a possible injury, there just is not a team that is expected to contend that would have a spot on the roster for Moustakas. He is a third baseman only, although some American League club could look to have him as an upgrade as a designated hitter. However, that is not a position that a team would be willing to part with top prospects for.
Second, even if a team is interested in acquiring a player to fill in at the hot corner, there will be a better option available. Much like the Royals, the Baltimore Orioles have been a disaster at the start of the season. However, unlike the Royals, they have a true superstar that could be available in Manny Machado. If a team is going to open the prospect vaults for a rental third baseman, it would be Machado. Even if he would prefer to play short, the chance to be part of a postseason push could persuade him otherwise.
At this point, the Royals may just be better off keeping Moustakas and hoping that they can come to accord for a longer term deal. His disastrous foray into free agency could lead him to the realization that he will not be as valuable to a franchise as he is in Kansas City. That point would especially be hammered home if he is unable to find a market at the trade deadline.
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The Kansas City Royals should have a trade asset in Mike Moustakas. Instead, they may be hard pressed to move him this summer.