<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmQzSjHZqG9PN1bTfT2fMXnk9wkazRz2XTpur99A7h5oyA/image.png</center>
<hr>
<b>SteemSports Presenter: @bbleehehh9</b>
<hr>
<b>SteemSports Editor: @theprophet0</b>
<hr>
Not since the days that legendary right-hander Mike Mussina graced the mound at Yankee Stadium have the Yankees had a Moose in their midst. That all could change soon.


Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported on Tuesday that the Yankees have had “occasional contact” in recent days with the representatives for free agent third baseman Mike Moustakas.


Moustakas has been a major victim of the slow free agent market this winter. Somehow, after slugging a Royals’ franchise record 38 homers in 2017, the 29-year-old slugger remains in the unemployment line as spring camps open throughout Arizona and Florida.


Everything seemingly came together for Moustakas in 2017, slashing .272/.314/.521 with 38 bombs and 85 RBI. 


While a match between the two sides still looks to be a long shot, nothing has been ruled out yet. His sweet left-handed swing would certainly play exceptionally well with the short right field porch in New York.

<HR>
<CENTER>https://steemitimages.com/DQmWYYxwhLy5FJ8op4XUvrFKjyaJhqTGnNAvCZcCWwmW2Ri/image.png</CENTER>
<HR>

The main hiccup to a potential union is the Yankees’ desire to remain under the luxury tax threshold. In order to afford Moustakas, the club would likely need to shed the contract of outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. To date, they haven’t had much interest via trade, and Ellsbury owns a full no-trade clause which makes it even more difficult.


With spring training beginning this week, there’s always a chance that Moustakas gives up hope of landing a lucrative multi-year contract this winter and looks to instead sign a one-year “pillow contract” where he can build up his value again and hit the free agent market again after the 2018 season. If that’s the case, there isn’t a better landing spot for him then the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium. It would also be a tremendous boon to his fantasy value, both in terms of the massive ballpark upgrade and the improved surrounding cast.


The Yankees also are unlikely to be interested in a long-term deal, as they have 22-year-old prospect Miguel Andujar waiting in the wings, who is expected to be ready to man the hot corner as soon as this season.


It’ll be interesting to follow how this all plays out, but expect things to really start picking up in the free agent market over the next week as players begin arriving for spring training.

<hr>

<center>
https://steemitimages.com/DQmQZbT1e8vMW29jwHGQ3DeZticGynHFwELFcAoJQPZ9Yag/steemfooter1.png
</center>
<center>
https://steemitimages.com/DQmR95dQ6tUN9wpsu4RtbE2tT6cgj14LVcxGjsFcaapf2FM/steemfooter2.png
</center>
<hr>
<center>
<a href="https://discord.gg/XkkhCc4" rel="noopener"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmZG6PRHq5jZyUXk5fdgpmUDtFYWT7qshcArmJAnGxZgy6/image.png"></a>
</center>
<center>
<hr>
<a href="https://discord.gg/XkkhCc4" rel="noopener"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmV3vq9X1LuEx1JeHCxPMTSyYDeM8MoaMXe2udAUCPM7B6/image.png"></a>
</center>