I KNOW WHERE MIKE MOUSTAKAS IS GOING

I know, you've heard enough about Mike Moustakas. Well... I have some thoughts.  Here it goes...

Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Moustakas is in trouble in his quest to get a big, free agent contract. Look, he is a top 5 free agent and was expected to get a deal of 5 years, $85 million. Plus, he's coming off of a great season where he hit 38 homers for the Royals. But what's the deal?   Well, I see it as a real possibility that he is unable to get a long-term deal.  Here's why...

Third Base is already set on the following teams:

Photo: WEEI.com

--Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers, a top prospect. By the way, the DH is also locked up.

--Cleveland Indians: Jose Ramirez. The DH is also locked up with Encarnacion.

--Detroit Tigers: Jeimer Candelario, a top prospect they got from Cubs for Justin Wilson. The DH is Victor Martinez.

Photo: AP

--Houston Astros: Alex Bregman. The DH is Marwin Gonzalez.

--Los Angeles Angels: Just signed Zack Cozart to play 3B.

Photo: USA Today

--Minnesota Twins: Miguel Sano. Now, the DH slot might be open, but if Twins spend money, it will be on pitching.

Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images

--Oakland A's: Matt Chapman, a top prospect. The DH is Kris Davis

--Seattle Mariners: Kyle Seager. The DH is Nelson Cruz

--Tampa Bay Rays: Christian Arroyo, a top prospect they just got from the Giants for Longoria.

Photo: Dallas Morning News

--Texas Rangers: Adrian Beltre. The DH is Choo.

--Toronto Blue Jays: Josh Donaldson. The DH is Kendrys Morales.

--Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake Lamb. He had 30 HR, 105 RBIs last year.

--Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant. Need I say more?

--Cincinnati Reds: Eugenio Suarez. 26 homers, 82 RBIs last year.

--Colorado Rockies: Nolan Arenado

--LA Dodgers: Justin Turner

Photo: Getty Images

--Milwaukee Brewers: Travis Shaw. 31 HR, 101 RBIs last year

--Philadelphia Phillies: Maikel Franco. He had 24 homers and 76 RBIs last year

--San Diego Padres: Chase Headley

--San Francisco Giants: Evan Longoria

--Washington Nationals: Anthony Rendon

This leaves only 9 teams that are potentially in the market for a third baseman. Of those 9 teams however, there are 4 that are clearly not going to spend money on a big free agent. Those are...

--Chicago White Sox: The youth movement is happening. They are unlikely to make a big money signing while they are rebuilding.

--Atlanta Braves: Youth movement – not spending money on big free agents

--Miami Marlins: Um. No.

Photo: Getty Images

--Pittsburgh Pirates: They are not seeking to contend after trading away Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen. So they won’t give out a big free agent contract now. Bottom line.

So what does this all mean? It means the only teams that are legitimate options for Moustakas are the following, listed in order of likelihood in my opinion:

--New York Mets: This is the best fit out of all the teams. They have nobody at third. But this team is simply too cheap to give Moustakas a big long-term contract for $15M+ per year.

--Baltimore Orioles: Yes, they have Machado, but I suppose if he plays short, the Orioles can sign a third baseman. But look, I think it's unlikely though, as this would preclude them from keeping Machado at 3rd long-term if they re-sign him. Look, Baltimore is already burned by the bad, long-term contracts that they just signed with Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo. So I find it unlikely that they would sign Moustakas long-term. But hey, anything is possible.

--New York Yankees: They won’t sign Mike Moustakas long-term due to the salary cap and their desire to go for Machado next off season. But look, if he takes a lower priced 1 or 2 year deal, this is possible. Something to think about.

--Kansas City Royals: If the Royals lose out on Hosmer which is definitely possibly, they could turn to Moustakas.  I just don’t think they want to spend right now when they know they are far from contending.

--St. Louis Cardinals: The Cards have Jedd Gyorko at 3rd and he's signed for 4 more years, $37M. But he could also play 2B if they acquired a 3rd baseman. They also have Kolten Wong at second who hit .285 last year. And so, signing Moustakas for third is probably unlikely, but not impossible to see, so I included them here.

Out of the 9 teams that don’t already have clearly established 3rd baseman, only 5 can be considered a real possibility to sign Moustakas. And there are real issues with feeling confident that any of these teams would be willing to do so, especially on a long-term big-money deal.

And so, like I opened with, I think Moustakas is in trouble and will ultimately have to settle for a 1 or 2-year deal somewhere. If he becomes willing to sign a 1-year deal, then the Yanks would clearly be interested.  They have $20 million under the cap, but would want to leave some space for a deadline acquisition.  I'm going with a 1 year, $14 million deal. What do you think?

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Anyway, here's my prediction. Moustakas goes to the Mets. Despite the cheapness, they are the best fit.  Moose is predicted to get a 5-year, $85M contract, but when Moustakas’ price tag comes down because he has no other options, the Mets might hop in there and get him for about 3 years, $45 million. It makes a ton of sense. Plus, it would be a great signing for them. Then again... the Orioles still pop in my mind.  They can easily put him at 3rd and put Machado at short and then they have a replacement for Machado, who is obviously leaving in free agency.

A lot to digest... but there's way to much garbage out on Moustakas right now.  I had to put things in better sense for you all.  No better place than on BYB.





--Douglas Solomon
BYB Writer

YOU CAN'T WIN THEM ALL, EVEN IN THE RAIN

Sometimes a pitcher goes out there and his tits get lit up.  Sometimes he can't find the strike zone. Sometimes pressure gets to them. Sometimes, in rain, a pitcher can't grip the ball properly, their footing sucks and sometimes, rare, but sometimes... they blow a save. Sometimes the elements kick the crap out of you.  That's the game... and no one should ever give excuses... it's just the way it is.

MLB.com has the story about the Yankees and last night's loss:

"With the Yankees leading by one run and a runner on first base following a leadoff walk issued by closer Aroldis Chapman to Robinson Chirinos in the top of the ninth inning, the game entered into a three-hour, 35-minute rain delay, beginning at 10:40 p.m. ET. After the delay, Kirby Yates entered the game to pitch for the Yankees and couldn't secure his second career save, allowing a two-run single to Adrian Beltre and an RBI single to Elvis Andrus as the Rangers won, 9-6."

Fans can get angry all they want, but sometimes weird things happen, and last night, it was weird.

I saw this comment in our comments section of  YANKS MAY RESIGN CHAPMAN AFTER ALL.

"Sorry though. This guy melts in the rain."  -Dave
 

So I guess we just give up on Chapman. I mean, sure Dave, he did fail last night, and fans don't like to see it, but the elements weren't in the Yankees corner last night.  I mean, Kirby Yates hit 3 batters last night.  Think about that one. Chapman even chimed in on his performance:

"It's very wet out there... I was trying to find a way that would allow me to do my job. So I was doing the best I could. The ball was getting wet easily out there, so the best thing to do is keep asking for a new one and try to get a good grip and try to do a good job."

Think about that. He tried, there was a ton of craziness all around him, look at out lead photo!  All I'm saying is, while it stings, it was highly unusual and we as a fan base just need to move on.

Final: Rangers 9 - Yankees 6




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THAT'S WHY HE'S 'NASTY NATE'

Nathan Eovaldi ran the table last night... and good for him.

Eovaldi flirted with a no hitter. As MLB.com writes:

"Eovaldi was trying to become the first Yankees pitcher to throw a no-hitter since David Cone's perfect game on July 18, 1999. That bid ended when Mazara grounded a single through the left side. There have been 10 no-hitters in the regular season in Yankees history in addition to Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series."

He was most effective because he was moving the ball around, changing speeds, using different pitches and being creative.  The Yankees no doubt are thrilled about that and so, they will long to see that again.   Nate went 7 innings gave up 7 hits and 2 runs.  He struck out 6.

Betances and Miller followed and Miller got save number 5.

The Yankee run scoring went like this:

In the third, Jacoby Ellsbury homered. Thank God. Be sure to read AS ELLSBURY GOES, SO GO THE YANKEES which is out feature today!

That was followed by Teixeira doubling home Carlos Beltran.

In the 6th, Starlin Castro homered.  And those are the Yankees 3. The Rangers scored 1 run off of Betances.

Good work, nice win.

Final: Yankees 3 - Rangers 1

I leave you with this.  A hilarious highlight reel of Adrian Beltre and Elvis Andrus who apparently have a sibling type relationship and my oldest son told me about it, and it's absolutely funny to me.  Enjoy:



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SORRY FOLKS. RUBEN TEJADA NEEDS TO BE MORE AGILE

I mean, is the media mad at the Chase Utley's slide, or are they just mad that the New York Mets lost?  I mean, I know the Mets are America's team these days, but the slide that Chase Utley made in a critical moment in last night's Game 2 of the NLDS was nothing that hasn't happened 100 times before.

Here's the thing, the media is in love with the Mets.  And let me go further, and let's be honest; if Ron Darling doesn't ask the question in the booth, "You don't think that play is dirty?", I'm not sure we're talking about this. Watch the clip below. No one seems shocked.  It's business as usual until it's determined that Tejada is hurt and Darling starts stirring the pot.

Darling also states... "They wouldn't even allow that in the NFL."  Charged words. And, OK, it's really not part of baseball to even drag that into the conversation. But clearly Darling is rooting for the Mets.

Look, Ty Cobb used to go in spikes high. That was dirty.  That was later banned.  But we all know that runners going to second on a potential double play have to try and take out that fielder. And guess who also knows that? Infielders.  We have all seen it happen for years in baseball.

Your job as a runner is to break up that play so your teammate can make it to first and so your inning can continue. Bottom line.

Sometimes you slide in hard. Sometimes you slide in really hard. Sometimes you even slide in exceptionally wide to go after that fielder.  It happened the other night between Beltre and Tulowitzki.

Sometimes you even slide in really late, you throw your hands up or you go in real aggressive as to get that fielder to lose balance or to not get that throw off... and you know what?

That's the game ladies and gentlemen! That's the game!  Ruben Tejada? He needs to get the hell out of the way!  Why in the hell is no one talking about that?  I mean... look at it?

No question Chase Utley comes into the base awkardly and slide is late. Trust me, I'm no fan of Chase Utley. But I do not see what the different is between his slide and others I've seen in Major League Baseball over the past 25 years, even longer.



Tejada needs to be athletic. Tejada needs to be more nimble, more agile. Tejada needs to move his ass and get that runner out at first. That's his job!

Look, I feel bad for Tejada.  The Mets are having a nice season and now the guy is out. That sucks. But the media is in love with the Mets this season, after all... it's a nice story.  But let's call that Utley slide what it is... it's baseball,  and whether you call it clean or not, the bottom line is Utley had done what plenty of runners coming into second base have done forever... BREAK UP THE DOUBLE PLAY... and he did his job there.

The Dodgers tied it up against the Mets right then and eventually won.  But no one is talking about that. They are instead falling into the bias trap. "The Mets got robbed!"

No... the Mets lost... get over it.

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THE YANKS HAVE NO GOLD GLOVERS... KICK US WHILE WE'RE DOWN

I found this alittle unusual, only because we have a guy like Mark Teixeira manning first with one of the best gloves in the game as well as Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner. The word is, that there are no Yankees in the finalists of Rawlings Gold Gloves this year.  Son of a ....

Anyway.

Here are the list of finalists brought to us by CBSSports.com. Check it out:

AL Pitcher
Mark Buehrle, Blue Jays (4)
Felix Hernandez, Mariners (0)
Dallas Keuchel, Astros (0)
 

NL Pitcher
Zack Greinke, Dodgers (0)
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (1)
Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (2)

AL Catcher
Alex Avila, Tigers (0)
Yan Gomes, Indians (0)
Salvador Perez, Royals (1)

NL Catcher
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers (0)
Russell Martin, Pirates (1)
Yadier Molina, Cardinals (6)

AL First Base
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (0)
Eric Hosmer, Royals (1)
Albert Pujols, Angels (2)

NL First Base
Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers (3)
Adam LaRoche, Nationals (1)
Justin Morneau, Rockies (0)

AL Second Base
Robinson Cano, Mariners (2)
Ian Kinsler, Tigers (0)
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox (3)

NL Second Base
DJ LeMahieu, Rockies (0)
Brandon Phillips, Reds (4)
Chase Utley, Phillies (0)

AL Shortstop
Alcides Escobar, Royals (0)
J.J. Hardy, Orioles (2)
Alexei Ramirez, White Sox (0)

NL Shortstop
Zack Cozart, Reds (0)
Adeiny Hechavarria, Marlins (0)
Andrelton Simmons, Braves (1)
 

AL Third Base
Adrian Beltre, Rangers (4)
Josh Donaldson, Athletics (0)
Kyle Seager, Mariners (0)

NL Third Base
Nolan Arenado, Rockies (1)
Pablo Sandoval, Giants (0)
Juan Uribe, Dodgers (0)

AL Left Field
Michael Brantley, Indians (0)
Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics/Red Sox (0)
Alex Gordon, Royals (3)

NL Left Field
Starling Marte, Pirates (0)
Justin Upton, Braves (0)
Christian Yelich, Marlins (0)

AL Center Field
Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox (0)
Adam Eaton, White Sox (0)
Adam Jones, Orioles (3)

NL Center Field
Billy Hamilton, Reds (0)
Juan Lagares, Mets (0)
Denard Span, Nationals (0)

AL Right Field
Kole Calhoun, Angels (0)
Kevin Kiermaier, Rays (0)
Nick Markakis, Orioles (1)

NL Right Field
Jason Heyward, Braves (1)
Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks/Brewers (2)
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins (0)

Winners will be announced on November 11th.

Just a quick opinion.  I am shocked a guy like Yasiel Puig didn't make the finals, as well as Ellsbury and Gardner.  I am also shocked that Pujols made the finals.  Really?

Anyway, congrats to the finalists.



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YANKEES HAVE THEIR EYE ON THE PRIZE

It was another championship fight between the two best teams in baseball. The game was delayed one hour and forty-five minutes because of rain, but they were able to get the game played. What a great game for the Yankees!

Freddy Garcia had his good stuff, as he held the Texas Rangers to two runs through 6 2/3 innings. Aside from Josh Hamilton, he dominated the entire lineup, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out six. In what was a great moral victory for Garcia, he struck out the last batter he faced - Geovany Soto.  Josh Hamilton, however, hit a couple of monster home runs off Garcia. The first one was into the second deck; the second one went deep into the right-center field seats. The good news for the Yankees was that both of those home runs came with the bases empty. For most pitchers, if the only thing you do wrong is give up a home run to the guy who leads the majors in homers, you've done well. This was true of Garcia, love it.

Scott Feldman kept the Rangers in the game, dueling Garcia for six and a half innings. Feldman struck out seven and allowed all three Yankee runs in the 3rd inning. The Yankees deviated from their home run strategy, playing small ball against Feldman. In the third, Jayson Nix reached first on an infield single, stole second, took third on a Derek Jeter single, and scored on a Nick Swisher bloop double (we can thank the shift for that one). Jeter scored on a Curtis Granderson sacrifice fly, and an Eric Chavez single brought Swisher in.

Speaking of Eric Chavez, he has been on fire of late. We love him here at BYB, read ERIC CHAVEZ HAS THAT YANKEE HEART for some perspective. Last night he continued. He got three singles and a walk, reaching base in every plate appearance this game. It was also the sixth consecutive time, in which he was in the game, when he had a multi-hit game. While most agree that Alex Rodriguez is a force to be reckoned with, and the Yankee miss him, Joe Girardi has to find a way to get this guy some plate appearances when Alex returns.

Rafael Soriano came in to close out the game. We are giving him press time because of the fact that he faced the heart of the Rangers order - Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz, and David Murphy - and he made it look easy. He hung one pitch to Hamilton that made our hearts stop, but he got away with it and ended up striking him out. The only reason Murphy got an at-bat was a bad call at first, but it did not matter in the end as Murphy grounded out to Jeter to end the game. Soriano's 29th save of the season was well earned.

Honorable mentions:

•          Derek Jeter extended his hitting streak to 11 games. Way to go, Captain!
•          David Robertson looked completely unhittable. He struck out the first two batters looking, and Elvis Andrus hit a weak grounder to shortstop on the first pitch he saw. Nicely done!
•           Ichiro Suzuki's speed came in handy as he recorded two infield hits.

It was another important win for the Yankees. They have taken three consecutive games from the Texas Rangers, and are now poised to complete a sweep today. You always love games between the two best teams in the league, no matter who they are. This game was another one that the Yankees draw confidence from, especially for the postseason. Beating the best makes you the best.

Final Score: Yankees 3, Rangers 2

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon



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