Mike Moustakas close to deal to return to Royals
Mike Moustakas could be headed back to Kansas City.
Fan Rag Sports’ Jon Heyman reported on Thursday that Moustakas and the Royals are working on a deal for the third baseman to return to the team that drafted him.
MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan reports that the deal would likely be a one-year contract and pending a physical.
Source: Royals are working toward an agreement with Mike Moustakas on a short-term deal, likely one-year. Club not confirming.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) March 9, 2018
Returning to the Royals on a one-year deal would be the culmination of an extremely disappointing offseason for Moustakas. The 29-year-old third baseman was coming off a career-year in which he slugged 38 home runs. He appeared poised to sign a big deal, but that never happened. One team expected to be a match for him in free agency was the Angels, but they went in another direction early by signing Zack Cozart with plans to move him from shortstop to third. The Yankees also had interest in Moustakas, but nothing happened there.
Many contenders already have good third basemen (Cubs – Kris Bryant; Dodgers – Justin Turner; Indians – Jose Ramirez), which limited Moustakas’ market. Some other teams may be trying to leave the spot open for Manny Machado next year. Those factors likely combined to leave Moustakas unsigned in early March. The good news for Kansas City would be they would get Moose back despite losing Eric Hosmer to the Padres.
