MLB trade rumors: Royals’ Mike Moustakas to Yankees, Red Sox or Braves? Talks heating up

The Kansas City Royals might trade third baseman Mike Moustakas before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver deadline. The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves are showing interest in Moustakas, who will be a free agent after the 2018 MLB season.

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Without a doubt, the biggest bat on the trade market before the July 31st non-waiver deadline is Orioles shortstop Manny Machado.

But not far behind him is Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas. ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says the Moustakas trade talks are heating up:

The #RedSox and #Braves are both interested in Mike Moustakas as a trade deadline acquisition, sources say. The #Yankees have already been mentioned as a potential landing spot. There’s enough of a market for Moose that it’s more likely than not the Royals deal him this month.

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 15, 2018

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.

Sure, that could have been a complete coincidence.

Yanks going after Hamels or Martinez?

But there are indications Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would consider tinkering with a lineup which already leads the majors with 161 home runs.

The way this could play out: Cashman gets a new third baseman and moves him to first base. Or Cashman could get a new third baseman and move rookie Miguel Andujar to first. Or Cashman could get a new third baseman and flip Andujar for a starting pitcher, which is the team’s most glaring need before the trade deadline.

The Yankees are a major player in the Machado trade rumors. But acquiring hime would mean moving Machado to a a position (third base) he clearly does not want to play (even though he won two Gold Gloves there).

Moustakas is hitting .249 with 19 home runs and 58 RBI for the Royals, who are in last place in the American League Central with the worst record in baseball (27-68).

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.

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

The Yankees will return to action after the All-Star break 4.5 games behind the first-place Red Sox in the American League East. Boston will be missing third baseman Rafael Devers, who’s on the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation, which could help explain the Red Sox’s interest in Moustakas. 

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.