MLB Players: Top 10 old faces in new places for 2020
By Phil Watson
MLB Players: Top 10 old faces in new places for 2020
player. 61. . . . mike moustakas. 10
How acquired: Signed as free agent on Dec. 5
Mike Moustakas was an All-Star for the third time in his career last season with the Milwaukee Brewers, slashing .254/.329/.516 with 35 homers, 87 RBI and 80 runs scored in 143 games to help the Brewers make the postseason for a second straight season for just the second time in franchise history and the first since 1981-82.
Moustakas came to Milwaukee with playoff experience in 2018, having helped the Kansas City Royals to the 2015 World Series title. But in 11 playoff games with the Brewers, Moustakas slashed just .182/.250/.227 in 48 plate appearances, scoring three runs with two doubles and three RBI to go with 14 strikeouts.
That included an 0-for-4 against the Nationals in the NL Wild Card game last year when Milwaukee coughed up a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth en route to a 4-3 loss and a quick exit from the playoff party.
Moustakas signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds and will remain in the NL Central after declining his mutual option in favor of a $3 million buyout. Moustakas’ new contract includes a $20 million team option with a $4 million buyout in 2024 and includes $500,000 in award bonuses available each season.
He posted an OPS+ of 114 last season, while his 35 home runs were the second-most in his career behind the 38 he clubbed for the Royals in 2017.
According to FanGraphs’ Depth Charts projection, Moustakas grades out at a .263/.327/.512 slash this season with 37 homers, 102 RBI and 82 runs scored.