Yankees reportedly have been in contact with Mike Moustakas

There hasn’t been much reported about the market for free agent Mike Moustakas lately, but the New York Yankees apparently have been in touch with him.

Fan Rag Sports’ Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees and Moustakas have been in occasional contact in recent days, though he cautions that a deal between the sides is a “longshot.”

The Yankees have one of the best lineups in baseball, but third base is one spot they could use an upgrade. Todd Frazier signed with the Mets, leaving the Yankees searching for a new player at the hot corner.

There are two related issues that likely are keeping the Yankees from signing Moustakas, and none have anything to do with how they like him as a player. One is that the Yankees are trying to limit their payroll so they can get under the luxury tax. The second reason is the Yankees likely have an eye on Manny Machado in free agency next year and wouldn’t want to have a third baseman on a long-term contract taking up that potential spot. They’re said to be trying to lower their payroll so that they can spend more next offseason.

If Moustakas is willing to take a one-year deal and then hit free agency again next year, the Yankees would probably be a strong contender for him. But that scenario could be unlikely, which makes this a longshot.