Kansas City Royals: Avoid nostalgia and don’t trade for Mike Moustakas
Mike Moustakas is on the trade block, but the Kansas City Royals should pass.
When looking at former members of the Kansas City Royals who mean the most to the fan base, Mike Moustakas is certainly near the top of that list. It was sad when the Royals traded him to Milwaukee in 2018 where he remained in 2019, but the Royals were rebuilding and the move needed to be made.
Last offseason, Moustakas signed a four-year deal worth $64 million with the Cincinnati Reds, who looked to be trending in the right direction. After just one season with the Reds, however, Moustakas is already on the trade block due to his expensive salary.
Royals fans might see Moustakas’ name surface in trade rumors and think how much fun it’d be to have him back again, but the organization can’t fall into that trap. It’s not that Moustakas isn’t talented, but more of a financial angle in that Moose still has three years left on his deal and is making $52 million over those next three years. For a rebuilding Royals team, that’s too rich for their blood.
Kansas City Royals fans might love Mike Moustakas, but trading for him wouldn’t be wise.
The Royals are making moves this offseason and that’s awesome to see because it gives the fans hope that 2021 might be a competitive year. Bringing Moustakas in would be fun from a nostalgic point of view, but it doesn’t make much sense otherwise. He slashed just .230/.331/.468 while crushing eight home runs and plating 27 RBI in 2020. Those numbers aren’t trade-worthy for the Royals.
Plus, another aspect to bring up is that the Royals have a decent infield for next season. Carlos Santana’s signing means that Hunter Dozier moves back to his original position of third base while Nicky Lopez is holding it down at second base. Lopez might not be great offensively, but he’s Gold Glove-caliber defensively and we know how much Dayton Moore values defense.
It’s unfortunate to see Moustakas already on the trade block after just one year with his new team, but the Royals would be fools to consider trading for him. They can use the limited money they do have to bring in free agents who could help this team contend for a postseason berth next season and that should be priority No. 1.
Next. Five Reasons Signing Carlos Santana Was Good Move. dark
What do you think, Royals fans? Would you want to see the team trade for Mike Moustakas?