MLB trade rumors: Royals’ Mike Moustakas to Yankees being considered?

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is overhauling the roster before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver trade deadline. He picked up reliever Zach Britton from the Baltimore Orioles and starter J.A. Happ from the Toronto Blue Jays. Now Cashman might be after Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas.

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Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is not resting on his laurels as the July 31st MLB non-waiver trade deadline approaches.

On Tuesday, Cashman acquired Baltimore Orioles reliever Zach Britton in exchange for three minor leaguers.

On Thursday, Cashman picked up Toronto Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ in exchange for Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney.

Now, Cashman could be looking for a bat, per Fancred’s Jon Heyman:

Yankees have considered Mike Moustakas. See the asking price as high for now.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 27, 2018

This isn’t the first time the Yankees have been linked to Moustakas.

The Yankees were first connected to Moustakas shortly after July 4th, when MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported multiple teams are interested in Moustakas as a first baseman, including the Yankees.

Since then, the Royals gave Moustakas some reps at first base during games while the Yankees happened to have a scout in attendance.

Yankees excited for Happ

Moustakas and the Royals are in town this weekend for a four-game series at Yankee Stadium.

Based on the Yankees’ 7-2 win on Thursday night, chances have improved that Moustakas might not leave town after the series.

Right fielder Aaron Judge will be out at least three weeks after breaking his wrist in Thursday’s win.

That comes just two days after catcher Gary Sanchez returned to the disabled list with a strained groin. He could be out until September.

Moustakas would add some thump to a lineup which is now missing two of its biggest bats.

He’s hitting .249 this season with 20 home runs and 62 RBI.

The 29-year-old hit a career-high 38 home runs last season.

He was a free agent after the 2017 MLB season and was hoping for a big payday, along the lines of what J.D. Martinez got from the Red Sox (five years, $110 million).

But that deal never materialized and Moustakas returned to Kansas City on a one-year, $6.5 million contract.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.