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Reports linking Mike Moustakas and the Milwaukee Brewers seem as plentiful as news about Harper and Machado (that is a gross exaggeration, yet there have been a lot). Ken Rosenthal offers the latest in the Athletic. Rosenthal suggests an inevitability of a reunion between the two parties, and the chances increase with every day Machado, and to a lesser extent Bryce Harper remain in free agency. Rosenthal goes on to reinforce conventional wisdom. The Brewers would want to sign Moose to a one-year deal, move Travis Shaw to second base for the 2019 season and back to third base in 2020, and ultimately not block the ascendency of Keston Hiura once he is ready.
“A reunion between the Brewers and free-agent third baseman Mike Moustakas seems inevitable,” writes @Ken_Rosenthal in this piece for subscribers to The Athletic. Ken also questions the Brewers for not going after another starter. Good stuff as always. https://t.co/pUlKTPFH46
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) February 8, 2019
Most Brewers’ fans are probably comfortable with the idea of bringing Moustakas back. He was instrumental in Milwaukee’s run to the playoffs. Of course we know that he has serious power potential, hitting as many as 38 home runs in the 2017 season.
Part of the appeal of bringing Moose to Milwaukee is dreaming on his left-handed power in Miller Park. Unfortunately his power did not translate in a meaningful way after he arrived in Milwaukee. Moose hit only eight home runs in 218 plate appearances as a Brewer. He did hit 28 on the season, however. It is a good bet that he will approach 30 home runs playing an entire season with the Brewers.
Signing Moustakas obviously lengthens the Brewers lineup. On most nights a slugger will be hitting in the seven-hole if Moustakas signs with the Brew Crew. Forget “Harvey’s Wallbangers,” Brewer faithful will call this team “Counsell’s Crankers.” Or something much better than that, but you get the picture. Let’s not forget that Moose fit into the Brewers clubhouse very well. And of course Moose, Christian Yelich, and Ryan Bran forged deeper bonds as a result of their involvement and leadership with the California Strong campaign. If he is back, the clubhouse atmosphere maybe as good as ever, and that is saying something.
Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference