Colorado Rockies sign Mike Moustakas, so what is their plan?

Scottsdale, Ariz. — The Colorado Rockies surprised the baseball world on Sunday morning by signing Mike Moustakas to a minor league contract.

So what do the Rockies expect from the 34-year-old former All-Star? With Gold Glove-winning second Brendan Rodgers shelved as the franchise waits to see if he will indeed be lost for the season with a shoulder injury suffered earlier in the spring, signing Moustakas gives the Colorado Rockies another option in the infield.

While Moustakas has second base in his background, he is not expected to play there with the Rockies. If he makes the team, he will spend time at first base, third base, and in the designated hitter slot.

“I’ve been playing third base basically my entire career and I’ve learned a lot at first base from playing with Joey (Votto in Cincinnati) and Hos (Eric Hosmer in Kansas City) to see how they work the bag,” Moustakas said. “My focus right now is going out here for the first day and having a great day of camp. We’ll see where we are at the end of this thing and whatever happens will happen, but I’m excited to be out there on the field.”

Mike Moustakas trying to mount comeback with Colorado Rockies

Moustakas missed the final six weeks of the 2022 season with the Reds while dealing with a calf injury. It was the end to a tough season where he slashed just .214/.295/.345 with seven homers and 25 RBI and was designated for assignment by the Reds in January.

“In the beginning of the offseason, I wanted to make sure I was healthy before I came back and played,” Moustakas said. “I wanted to make sure I got healthy and found my way back to 100 percent.

“About halfway through (the offseason), I’m like, ‘OK, I’m good to go.’ I still have some years left in me and I know I can still play this game.”

Brent Suter, picked up off waivers by the Rockies this offseason, was a part of the Milwaukee Brewers team in 2018 that landed Moustakas in a trade with the Kansas City Royals.

“When he came over in ’18, it just kind of sparked us and then we went on that awesome run (going 19-7 in September to force a tie-breaker with the Chicago Cubs for the NL Central title, which Milwaukee won in Game 163 at Wrigley Field),” Suter said. “He was the main giver of that energy. He brings leadership and he has a grinder mentality. He’s awesome.”

The Rockies are hoping to see that same energy from Moustakas. With Ryan McMahon likely sliding over from third base to second base to fill the void left by Rodgers, time at third base could open up for Moustakas in Denver.

In 39 career plate appearances at Coors Field, Moustakas is slashing .324/.359/.405.

“I have a couple of good (memories) there,” Moustakas smiled. “But I’m over here now and it’s good to be here.”