New York Yankees: The Yanks need to trade for Mike Moustakas

Mike Moustakas. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Mike Moustakas. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New York Yankees are showing interest in Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas. Despite a more pressing need for pitching, they still need to go after him.

Royalty could be coming to the Bronx as the New York Yankees are interested in Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas.

The Royals are expected to trade Moustakas before the July 31 trade deadline. The Yankees are one of multiple teams that are interested in Moustakas, according to Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com. Moustakas would play first base for New York.

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies are also among the teams that are interested in the Royals third baseman. However, they would keep him at the hot corner.

More from Empire Writes Back

The man also known as “Moose” signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal before the season, so the Yankees would be able to afford him and stay under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold. If they add Moose, they would still have room to add Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, the Yankees number one priority is to get a starting pitcher. So, why are they going after an infielder? The answer is simple, they need an upgrade at first base.

So, should they still be going after Moustakas? The answer is yes. They still need him. First base is truly one of the few positions they are not getting consistent production.

Moose has only played at first base twice in the majors, but he would be an improvement for the Yankees at first base.

The Bombers current first baseman, Greg Bird, has dealt with injuries throughout his career and is struggling.

This season, Bird is hitting only .200 with five home runs and nine RBIS. Neil Walker, who can play first but is now at second due to the Gleyber Torres injury , is hitting just.188 with two home runs and 15 RBIs.

This season, first baseman for the Bombers have a .381 slugging percentage, ranking 26th in the majors. In comparison, Moustakas, is hitting .258 with 16 home runs, 53 RBIs, and  a .472 slugging percentage.

Its time for the Yankees to get a new first baseman and Moose is a great choice to be that guy.

By adding Moustakas, the Yankees slugging percentage would go up and the Yanks would have a better first baseman than what Bird is giving them right now. Perhaps bringing in a new face can be the spark that Bird needs to get it going again.

Next: Yankes should trade for Harvey

While the Yankees biggest need is still a starting pitcher, they should absolutely go after Moustakas  because they need someone other than Bird at first base.