New York Yankees: Debating Todd Frazier vs Mike Moustakas
By Sean Dyer
Contract Details/Ease of Signing
Because of Manny Machado’s looming free agency (and the rest of the 2019 mega-class), the New York Yankees, ideally, would only want to sign either third baseman to a one-year deal.
That same loaded free agent class is also motivating the Yankees (and most of the MLB) to get under the $197 million luxury tax threshold this season.
As we mentioned, although Todd Frazier would like a multi-year deal, he could be willing to sign a one-year deal with the Yankees to play close to home. Spotrac also has Frazier’s market value at just over $11 million.
A one-year pact for around $11.5 million could still keep the Yankees under the luxury tax threshold, especially if they fill their starting rotation depth with prospects like Chance Adams and Justus Sheffield instead of trading for a Gerrit Cole or Patrick Corbin.
Frazier loved playing in pinstripes and if the Yankees extended him a fair contract offer, one could assume he’d be happy to sign it.
As for Mike Moustakas, him signing a one-year deal is contingent on his free agent market staying quiet. He won’t sign a one-year contract with the Yankees if multi-year deals with other teams are on the table.
Spotrac projects Moustakas’s market value at just over $16.5 million. New York could fit that kind of money under the luxury tax threshold but it would make things much tighter and could force the Yankees to trade a bullpen arm to give them some breathing room.
Perhaps the most difficult part of signing Moustakas will be his agent, Scott Boras. Boras is notorious for waiting out the free agent market for as long as needed until his client gets the contract they want. “Moose” may have a slow market now, but Boras has no problem waiting until it picks up.
Signing Mike Moustakas to a one-year deal this offseason before inking Manny Machado to a long-term contract next offseason makes Yankees fans’ eyes light up. Unfortunately, however, it won’t be easy and is not very realistic.
Bringing Todd Frazier back on a one-year deal, however, seems more than feasible. The Toddfather gets to play close to home for another year without having to worry about getting traded next offseason to make room for Machado (Chase Headley treatment) and the Yankees keep the dream of signing the Orioles superstar alive.
Contract Details/Ease of Signing – Advantage Todd Frazier