Kansas City Royals get excellent return for Mike Moustakas

The Kansas City Royals did an excellent job in maximizing the value of Mike Moustakas on Saturday morning.

As soon as the Kansas City Royals officially began selling, it was a matter of time until Mike Moustakas was sent elsewhere. He had been drawing interest over the past few weeks, although it was difficult to say how serious that interest was. The Milwaukee Brewers had been linked to Moustakas during that time, but it did not seem likely that a deal would happen. After all, the Brewers needed help at second, not third.

Then, early Saturday morning, the Brewers and Royals got together. Moustakas was off to join former teammate Lorenzo Cain in Milwaukee, with outfielder Brett Phillips and pitcher Jorge Lopez heading to Kansas City. The Brewers were moving Travis Shaw to second base, although he had never played the position before, to make room for Moustakas.

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This is not the first time the Brewers and Royals got together for a trade when Milwaukee was taking a shot at the postseason. Zack Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt were sent to the Brewers prior to the 2011 campaign for Cain, Alcides Escobar, Jeremy Jeffries, and Jake Odorizzi. Odorizzi, later, was part of the deal that brought Wade Davis and James Shields to Kansas City, helping to push the Royals back to the postseason.

It is far too early to say whether or not this trade will have the same sort of impact, but there is plenty of reason for optimism. Phillips, a top 100 prospect entering the season, was blocked in Milwaukee. He has displayed a solid mix of power and speed in his minor league career, hitting 58 homers and stealing 84 bases. He can also draw a walk, showing patience that the Royals lineup needs.

The same could be said for Lopez. He was also a former top 100 prospect that has not had many chances at the major league level. The former starter had been converted the the bullpen, where his upper 90s fastball has helped Lopez post a 2.75 ERA in 19.2 innings in the majors this year. However, he has 15 strikeouts and 13 walks, showing that he is still a work in progress. If he can get that command down, Lopez could be a solid piece in the back of the Royals bullpen.

The Kansas City Royals have once again made a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers to help their postseason push. In landing two former top 100 prospects, the long term could be just as bright in Kansas City.