CLASS ACT MOVE BY THE ROYALS!

While this isn’t just a Yankees thing—it’s a baseball thing—you have to admire and respect it. Hats off to the Royals for doing it the right way and a big salute to Mike Moustakas on a fantastic career. He’s always been a class act.

Moustakas is set to retire as a Kansas City Royal, the team that drafted him and where he made his biggest impact over 13 seasons in the majors. The Royals announced Monday that the 36-year-old infielder will sign a one-day contract on May 31, officially ending his career where it all started. He’ll also be honored before Kansas City’s home game against Detroit that evening.

Over his career, Moustakas hit .247 with 215 home runs and 683 RBIs across 1,427 games, playing not just for the Royals but also for Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Colorado, and the Los Angeles Angels. A three-time All-Star, he played his final major league game with the Angels on September 30, 2023.

These ceremonial retirements are such a great way to recognize a player who poured his heart and soul into a team. It reminds me of when Jeff Nelson did the same thing with the Yankees in 2007. Nelson wanted to retire as a Yankee, so he signed a minor league deal just to make it official, then immediately called it a career.

Reflecting on his 15-year career, Nelson said in a statement released by the Yankees, "I enjoyed a fulfilling major league career, and each season brought experiences and friends that I will cherish forever. But being able to be a part of four world championship teams with the Yankees, while playing in a place like Yankee Stadium in front of the greatest fans in the world—that time will always hold a special place in my heart."

It’s always great to see teams honor players the right way. So, props to the Royals, and a huge round of applause for Moustakas—a true baseball guy. 

You’re the man, Moose.

MIKE MOUSTAKAS IS THE ANSWER TO ALL OF THE YANKEES PRAYERS!

Photo: Getty Images

Only not. In fact, he's not the answer at all. He would be the exact opposite. He's not just the wrong fit but the "IT" guy in all of the Yankee trade rumors for the fast few days. Could the Yankees really be so desperate?

According to multiple sources like MLB.com HERE, several teams are interested in Mike Moustakas as a potential first baseman. Yes, you read that right.....first base. The Royals are expected to deal him before the July 31st trade deadline and with a small $6.5 million salary this year a lot of teams are interested. Strangely, the Yankees are in the mix for a potential trade partner. Okay, fine but....first base?

(Bill Kostroun / AP)

I am sure some team who needs third base is on the phone calling the Royals but why the Yankees? It makes no sense. Now I am no fan of Greg Bird, at all. I've given him a lot of tough love lately but I can't say I love the idea of throwing Moustakas a third baseman across the infield to play first either. He doesn't have the experience and he is not an upgrade over Bird.

Photo: Getty Images

When you compare Moustakas and Bird they have a lot of similarities. They both get injured a lot. Bird has been an injury concern for years now and Moustakas hasn't hit much since Mid-May due to back spasms. Both of them aren't hitting. Moustakas has a .258 BA while Bird has a .198 BA. Their on base percentage is virtually identical. Bird does have better power numbers, and he walks more. He also strikes out more while Moustakas is more prone to getting hit by pitches.

The Moustakas for Bird rumor just doesn't make sense. So maybe THIS piece from the NY Daily News is correct. The Yankees need pitching....badly.

Photo: NJ.com

Sonny Gray is awful and now Jonathan Loaisiga has shoulder inflammation. We have been in need of an experienced, front line starter for awhile now and that's not going to change even when Masahiro Tanaka returns soon. If the Yankees are going to take the division and beat the Red Sox they need to focus on adding another starter. A good one at that.

I don't think I have been this anxious in a long time. The Yankees could be unstoppable with the right upgrades. Moustakas is not that upgrade. We all know that Bird is sucking right now. He has for awhile, but pitching wins ballgames and Gray sucks more than Bird does. Even I can admit that one.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

WHERE WILL MOUSTAKAS LAND? WE KNOW

Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America

Let's not forget...Spring Training games have started, and Mike Moustakas is still not on a team. Is he home? Is he just watching MLB Network and wondering? What's his agent doing? This is a nice player to pick up, but I think now the dude has to be realistic... don't you?

Jon Heyman has this. He thinks with the Braves of the White Sox:

Source: Brian Davidson/Getty Images North America

Braves:
"The Braves have talked about Mike Moustakas, but so far there's no common ground."

White Sox:
"Mike Moustakas could emerge as a possibility, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported. The White Sox have as many prospects as any AL team but don't have a big one at third base. While this would be a year before any expected push for a pennant, it may represent a nice opportunity for the ChiSox. The third base market hasn't developed as expected, and Moustakas may not get what he originally sought. There are plenty of one-year opportunities for him, but a one-year deal would put him back on the market with Josh Donaldson and Manny Machado."

Source: Jon Durr/Getty Images North America

But let's not forget BYB phantom genius Douglas Solomon wrote I KNOW WHERE MIKE MOUSTAKAS IS GOING a while back.

"Here's my prediction... 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."

He also wrote this about the Braves and White Sox:

"--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 "

In the end, Douglas picks the Orioles.

I'm sticking with Solomon.  This is a test.  Let's see who will be right.

THE FIRST BASE MARKET

The other day, we looked at Mike Moustakas at BYB. If you haven't seen it yet, read I KNOW WHERE MIKE MOUSTAKAS IS GOING. 

Now let's think about the first base market. Guys like Eric Hosmer and Logan Morrison are still sitting out there. Crazy right? Now, similar to 3rd base and a guy like Moustakas, there are very few realistic options for Hosmer and Morrison given the fact that most teams are already set in stone at 1st base.  Check this out:

--Baltimore Orioles: Chris Davis, with a DH in Trumbo.

--Chicago White Sox: Jose Abreu, with DH in Matt Davidson. Plus, the Sox are rebuilding.

--Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera with DH in Victor Martinez. And again... the Tigers are too rebuilding.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

--Houston Astros: Yuli Gurriel. The Astros have DH Marwin Gonzalez.

--LA Angels: Albert Pujols at first. The DH is Ohtani

--Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer.  The DH slot is open, but the Twins not big spenders

-- New York Yankees: Greg Bird at first, and Stanton in the sometimes DH.

--Oakland A's: Matt Olsen. He had 24 homers in only 59 games after the call-up last season. The DH is Kris Davis.

Photo: Getty Images

--Seattle Mariners: Ryon Healy. Healy had 25 homers and 78 RBIs last year. The DH is Nelson Cruz.

Photo: Getty Images

--Tampa Bay Rays: Brad Miller might be a weak option, but the Rays are rebuilding and won’t spend, trust me.

--Texas Rangers: Joey Gallo (41 homers.) The DH is top prospect Willie Calhoun.

--Toronto Blue Jays: Justin Smoak had 38 homers, 90 RBIs last year. The DH is Kendrys Morales.

--Arizona Diamondbacks: Goldschmidt!

--Atlanta Braves: They have Freddie Freeman

--Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo is there!

--Cincinnati Reds: The Reds still have Joey Votto

--LA Dodgers: Of course, Cody Bellinger

Photo: Getty Images

--Miami Marlins have Justin Bour and the Marlins have no spending money.

--Milwaukee Brewers: Eric Thames had 31 homers last year.

--Philadelphia Phillies: Carlos Santana

--Pittsburgh Pirates: Josh Bell [26 HR, 90 RBI]

--San Francisco Giants have Brandon Belt

--St. Louis Cardinals: Matt Carpenter

--Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman. Boom.

This leaves only 6 teams as potential options for a big name first baseman. Here they are:

Photo: Boston Herald

--Boston Red Sox: With Moreland at 1st and Hanley Ramirez as the DH, Boston could sign someone, but they are likely to sign JD Martinez when all is said and done. It's very doubtful they'd sign Hosmer or LoMo.

--Cleveland Indians: They just lost Carlos Santana and will play Edwin Encarnacion at 1st, but that leaves a vacancy at DH. So signing a 1st baseman is possible 

Photo: Getty Images

--Kansas City Royals: They are still trying to resign Hosmer and believe me, it's the likely landing spot.

--Colorado Rockies: They have prospect Ryan McMahon, but could turn to a veteran hitter at 1st.

--New York Mets: Adrian Gonzalez? Dom Smith? Really? The Mets should be vying for Hosmer or at least Logan Morrison.

Photo by Chris Stone

--San Diego Padres: They have Wil Myers at 1st right now, but he could move to the outfield. They have made a 7-year offer to Hosmer. I still think Hosmer will go elsewhere though.

Now Cleveland could be a dark horse here. Remember, they lost Santana and might surprise everyone and jump in late on Hosmer. I have a feeling though that if the Royals really offered Hosmer 7 years, $147M, that he will ultimately settle back with KC. That would leave Logan Morrison as a potential nice lower cost option for Cleveland or the Rockies. The Mets are too cheap, but they should be jumping in on this, at least for Morrison.

But I gotta ask...what do you guys think?

--Douglas Solomon
BYB Writer

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

I HOPE WE DON'T TRADE DAVID ROBERTSON

Photo: Getty Images

I loved when David Robertson was on the Yankees the first time.  Then he went off and signed with the White Sox and in the baseball world... hey, that's business.  Deal with it.  Sure, fans get mad and all of that, but when the Yankees got David Robertson back last season, something significant happened. DRob was a force.  He was a better, more mature, more composed pitcher. 

Photo: Getty Images

We saw a guy who got alittle experience outside the Bronx bubble, and came back a better athlete. I swear!  That's what I thought at least.  Look, I loved having DRob back.  He's perfect for our pen and I don't want him to go.  That being said, I found this nugget by Jon Morosi very interesting and wanted to point it out. and brought to us by NJ.com. Check it out:

"In the eyes of Jon Morosi of MLB Network, that means a current veteran could have to be traded in order to clear payroll room in the Bronx. Jacoby Ellsbury is the natural name to bring up, but Morosi adds another: David Robertson. 

Instead, sources say the Yankees' tentative plan allows for another $15 million in spending this offseason -- unless Cashman frees up additional payroll by trading reliever David Robertson or outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. To do something extensive -- like signing Moustakas -- would involve sending away a large contract, and Ellsbury's is a popular choice among Yankees supporters. But it's been difficult for the Yanks to move Ellsbury, given his disappointing offensive numbers and large salary."

Photo: New York Daily News

The idea of shaking Ellsbury loose has pretty much been established here at BYB.  It's time for Ells to move on.  DRob? Absolutely not.  In this world of starting pitching going 5 to 6 innings a game, a guy like David Robertson is the most important part of that Yankee pen.  And yes, we need to keep him.  Don't you think?

Here's David and Erin on our Bleeding Yankee Blue shirt.  Love these 2.

And I love DRob in pinstripes...

Stay tuned.

PREDICTION TIME! WHERE ARE THESE GUYS GOING?

Photo: Getty Images

It's two weeks until Spring Training starts! Two weeks....and the biggest names are STILL sitting on the market. This off season has been ridiculously boring. So instead of searching for new rumor that don't exist or rehashing the same David Robertson trade story and trying to put a new twist on it let's play a game. Where are the big names going?

Photo: Getty Images

1) Jake Arrieta - ???
I could see two possibilities here. If you ask my fiance who definitely has a good following on the baseball world in general he will tell you Arrieta is going to be a Brewer. It's a possibility, the Brewers are rumored to have made an offer but I also wouldn't count out the Phillies at this point. It's crazy to think that the Phillies are one of the top spending teams this off season. It's true! The Phillies are making that transition from rebuilding to contending. They aren't there yet but will be soon and you can't ignore the connection between the two. Phillies outfielder Nick Williams has been a workout buddy with Arrieta over the winter and it sounds like he's been trying to sway him to Philly according to reports like THIS ONE. Is it true? Who knows, but since the Phillies are spending money I wouldn't count them out.

So much for Boras and his huge BINDER he sent to every team with a sales pitch for a $200 million dollar deal. LOL!

Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)

2) J.D. Martinez - Red Sox
The Red Sox have been far too quiet this season. Let's face it after the Yankees got Giancarlo Stanton there has been no response. They always have to make their own splashy move and it hasn't happened yet. I can't see them waiting until the trade deadline. The Red Sox need some more pop in their lineup. Of course, if they don't get him I am perfectly fine with that....really.

Source: Ron Schwane/Getty Images North America

3) Mike Moustakas - Kansas City?
This is a hard one. He's the best left-side infielder available in this years free agent market but his market has been pretty dry. Just thinking from a business standpoint it might be in Kansas City's best interest to sign him after they let one of their other big names Lorenzo Cain leave in free agency. The Royals are only a few years removed from a World Series Championship and may need that familiar face to keep fans more motivated as they continue to rebuild.

Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America

4) Yu Darvish - Cubs?
So the Phillies, Brewers, Twins, Yankees and Cubs are all considered to be serious suitors for Darvish. I would love to sign him, especially if we could get him at a discount now that the market is dropping faster as Spring Training gets closer....but I am not going to hold my breath. According to Jerry Crasnick HERE, the Cubs are considered to be favorites. I tend not to put so much weight on that because look at what happened with Shohei Ohtani. We were the favorites and yet we didn't make it out of the first round. Who knows. All of these teams make sense but the Cubs do have the need to sign a starter, the money to do it and the desire to get back to the World Series again. I wouldn't count them out.

And just for fun...

Source: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images North America

5) J.T. Realmuto - Nationals?
Yes, he's not a free agent BUT he is the last big name standing in Derek Jeter's gut job in Miami. Everyone else is gone! The Nationals are interested and should be. With one last push to win a World Series before Bryce Harper likely leaves in free agency they want more reinforcements to help their cause. Matt Wieters is still a starting catcher but he had a down year last season and adding a young 26 year old catcher under team control through 2021 who had a good season last year seems like a no-brainer. Jeter is going to ship him off somewhere soon. Washington seems to make a lot of sense.

No news means game time. Hopefully some of these guys sign soon because I am beyond restless!

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj