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Milwaukee Brewers: Pros and cons of re-signing Mike Moustakas

By Sam Brahm

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 19: Mike Moustakas #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after scoring a run off of a single hit by Erik Kratz #15 against Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game Six of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 19, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 19: Mike Moustakas #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after scoring a run off of a single hit by Erik Kratz #15 against Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game Six of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 19, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 31: Mike Moustakas #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws out Chris Taylor of the Los Angeles Dodgers at first base in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Prospect Blocking

This is the second season in a row that Mike Moustakas will be a free agent. We are entering an era of one-year deals, but Moose most likely doesn’t want to end up in free agency again in the 2019-2020 offseason.

Say the Brewers were to give Moustakas a two-year deal, this would end up blocking upcoming talent. Top prospect Keston Hiura has lit up the minors and earned MVP in the Arizona Fall League. He’s coming up soon and he is the future at second base.

Also, there is middle infield prospect Mauricio Dubon who will most likely be up in 2019 and has been vocal on Twitter about wanting to be a starter. Young prospects are working hard to get to the majors and Moose may end up being a factor in delaying their debuts.

Money

As a small market team, there’s always the chance that money ends up being an issue. The Brewers are already going to have the highest payroll in team history.

Yasmani Grandal has just signed for $18.25 million and adding someone like Moustakas, who will want $10-$12 million could be a little risky. The team is getting more money due to their success, but this isn’t a big city, it’s Milwaukee.

Roster Mixup

It’s good to have these type of problems, but adding Moustakas would cause a roster move or two to be made. The Brewers roster is at 39 right now, so a player would need to be DFA’d (most likely Tyler Saladino). This would end up causing the Milwaukee Brewers to make a decision when it comes to their bench.

As much as the Brewers love offense, it seems like they want bullpen arms a little bit more. So if they end up having a four-man bench like in 2018, a decision has to be made. The bench candidates would include Corey Spangenberg, Hernan Perez, Manny Pina, Ben Gamel, and Eric Thames. If they follow the same formula in 2019, one will have to go.

Next. 3 players the Brewers could trade before Opening Day. dark

Overview

Bringing Moustakas back would be a great addition to an already powerful lineup. Moose has the ability to hit 25 home runs and 80 RBI’s. The defense is solid and Travis Shaw will go back to where he was for the final months of the season. However, the problem is the contract, but at the right length and price, it could be worth it.

Perfect Contract: 1-Year/$9M w/ Mutual or Team Option

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