The Royals have brought back Mike Moustakas (131 ADP) on a one-year, $6.5 million deal. After testing the free-agent landscape, Moustakas returns on a deal that pays him less than the Royals’ original qualifying offer. While it’s not the scenario he envisioned once the offseason started, at least he’s signed and ready to provide fantasy value.
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The 29-year-old is coming off his best season. He broke the Royals’ franchise home run record with 38 homers while posting a respectable .272 AVG. His stat projections shouldn’t change except that he’ll be hitting in a worse lineup, with Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain signing with the Padres and Brewers, respectively. Moustakas’ production focuses on making contact (15.5% K%) and hitting dongs while offering next to nothing in the speed department (two steals in the last four seasons). Fantasy owners should expect about 30 home runs with a .270 AVG from Moustakas this season.
The playing time of Cheslor Cuthbert (589 ADP) and Hunter Dozier (648 ADP) gets axed with this deal. Projections placed neither guy near third base replacement-level production, so there is no loss for fantasy owners.
Previous Hot Stove Analysis
Royals Replace Hosmer with Lucas Duda
Rangers Add Tim Lincecum to Bullpen
Logan Morrison Finds Home with Twins
Corey Dickerson Traded to Pirates
Yankees, Rays, Diamondbacks Complete Three-Team Trade
Rays Acquire C.J. Cron, Designate Corey Dickerson
Jake Odorizzi Traded to the Twins
Eduardo Nunez Inks Deal with Red Sox
Cardinals Add Bud Norris to Crowded Bullpen
Cubs Get Their Ace, Sign Yu Darvish
Mets Add Todd Frazier on Two-Year Deal
Royals and Athletics Swap Parts
Miami Sends Christian Yelich to Brewers
Blue Jays Acquire Randal Grichuk
Blue Jays Sign Curtis Granderson
Giants Trade for Andrew McCutchen
Twins Grab Their Closer, Sign Addison Reed
Mets Bring Back Jay Bruce on Three-Year Deal
Toronto Acquires Yangervis Solarte from San Diego
Royals, Dodgers, and White Sox Complete Three-Way Trade
Rockies Fill Closer Vacancy with Wade Davis
Arizona Adds Bullpen Depth with Yoshihisa Hirano
Indians Fill First-Base Void with Yonder Alonso
Brewers Bolster Rotation with Jhoulys Chacin
Orioles Lose Zach Britton, Brad Brach Likely Closer
Giants Add Evan Longoria, Rays Create a Mess
Red Sox Bring Back Mitch Moreland
CC Sabathia Returns to Yankees
Dodgers-Braves Make Five-Player Trade
Angels in the Infield: Zack Cozart Signs with Los Angeles
Phillies Ink Carlos Santana to Three-Year Deal
Everyone’s Signing Relievers, But Who Will Close?
Cardinals Finally Get Their Marlins Outfielder
Cubs and Twins Gamble on Smyly and Pineda
Chase Headley Gets Dumped on Padres
Cubs and Cardinals Add Potential Closers
Giancarlo Stanton Joins Yankees
Wellington Castillo Inks Deal with White Sox
Potential Closers Traded: Boxberger and Johnson