Mike Moustakas trade rumors: Angels in the mix

Mike Moustakas didn’t have the free agency frenzy that he had hoped for, and with the Royals out of the playoff race they might be incentivized to move him.

The Kansas City Royals currently sit at 25-55 and last in the AL Central. They have by far the worst run differential in baseball. Simply put, it’s time for a rebuild in Kansas City.

The Royals have a few pieces they can deal for prospects, and one of those guys is third baseman Mike Moustakas. Moustakas probably didn’t get the attention he’d like during free agency and took a risk coming back to KC.

He’s a left-handed power bat with a good glove which a lot of teams could use. One team that could use a guy like that is the Los Angeles Angels. Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com speculated that the Angels and Royals have at least talked about sending him to L.A.

The Angels were a team linked to Moustakas during the winter but nothing ever came to fruition. Los Angeles is also in need of a third baseman with Zack Cozart needing surgery on his torn labrum.

Moustakas is currently slashing .255/.310/.467 which is somewhat of a down season for him after hitting a franchise record 38 home runs last season. He has 15 home runs this season, and I’m sure playing in a more hitter-friendly ballpark will help his numbers.

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It’s in the Royals best interest to deal Moustakas to continue to rebuild their farm system so it seems more of a “when” and not “if” they trade him. The Angels have somewhat fallen off a cliff lately, and have fallen 10 games back of the AL wild card.

The Angels might need to hit a winning streak, and get back in the race before they decide to go after a rental like Moustakas.