Brewers Trade for Mike Moustakas, Royals receive Phillips and Lopez

[Eye Black]

I am leaving the question mark until this is official, but seems like a legit source reporting it [it is official]...

 

LINK: Per source: The Royals have agreed to a deal with the Brewers for Mike Moustakas for Minor Leaguers Brett Phillips and Jorge Lopez.

 

 

From MLB Trade Rumors...

 

The Brewers have lined up with the Royals on a deal that will bring third baseman Mike Moustakas to Milwaukee, according to MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan (via Twitter). Outfielder Brett Phillips and righty Jorge Lopez are going to Kansas City in return, per the report.

 

This appears to be a fascinating agreement for a variety of reasons. It seems the Brewers will be rolling the dice on Travis Shaw’s ability to play second base, as the long-time third-bagger will apparently make way for his new teammate. For the Royals, meanwhile, the focus of this swap is on acquiring MLB options rather than far-off, higher-ceiling talent.

[wildcat2237]

Reported on MLB Network....and Twitter @flannymlb

 

Per source: The Royals have agreed to a deal with the Brewers for Mike Moustakas for Minor Leaguers Brett Phillips and Jorge Lopez.

 

[pitchleague]

Oh

My

[xisxisxis]

why?

[Eye Black]

This is the first move under David Stearns that has left me truly perplexed. I guess I’ll sit back, grab the popcorn, and see how this one turns out.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I don't feel like Phillips/Lopez is a terrible loss, but Moustakas just.......eh. Doesn't thrill me.

[ewitkows]

What the What?

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Is Shaw really gonna play 2b, or is he involved in a deal to go somewhere?

[ShawnSpencer]

Well, this is gonna be interesting

[ThisIsMyCrew]

 

Plan is to play Shaw at 2nd.

[pacopete4]

Knebel. Pitching in the 9th.

[travisteck]

Ummmmmm.

 

I'm confused. What will moose do for us? This shaw second base thing can't be real

[Ennder]

I don't feel like Phillips/Lopez is a terrible loss, but Moustakas just.......eh. Doesn't thrill me.

 

Yeah I agree. Phillips is never going to be a major league starter imo. Lopez probably wont' be more than a bullpen arm. Moustakas is a great get as a hitter for the team. I just don't believe that Shaw is going to be viable at 2B which derails all of it.

[adambr2]

I have learned to try not to question Stearns but this is pretty baffling to me.

 

This for a rental at a position we didn't need?

 

If we wanted Moustakas that bad, why didn't we go get him in the offseason when no one wanted to touch him and he wouldn't have cost a thing in prospects?

[Kelbysdaddy]

Can Moustakas play 2b? With his size, it makes more sense to me than Shaw playing there.

[Eye Black]

Is Shaw really gonna play 2b, or is he involved in a deal to go somewhere?

The reports from this winter when Moustakas’ name was coming up were that Shaw was being discussed in other trades. If they were going to do that I would rather they just took care of it in the off-season and signed Moustakas as a Free Agent.

[Dadbauer]

This is going to be a fun rest of the season!! Moustakas is gonna thrive here and it fills a huge hole in the lineup. Shaw's defense at 2B will be passable.

[MadThinker88]

Always a chance this a forerunner of another move (ie Shaw being moved for other necessary pieces)..

[nate82]

I don't feel like Phillips/Lopez is a terrible loss, but Moustakas just.......eh. Doesn't thrill me.

 

I liked Lopez and thought he was under appreciated here though the disappointment after last year that Lopez put up I can understand that. I thought the Braves would have traded for Moustakas. Well the Brewers stole another player from the Braves this year (the braves were in on Yelich and I have heard they were also in on Cain).

[pacopete4]

We built a division lead partly due to the defense. We sent down Arcia and we saw how that affected our IF defense. Now we are going to play Shaw at 2B and hurt it even more. This stinks to me.

[ewitkows]

Isn't Moustakas sign through next year? I thought he got a 2 year deal

[adambr2]

I mean I guess this is one way to solve the bat problem at 2nd, but Shaw better be at least passable at 2nd for this to work. Can't believe they would just plow forward with that plan midseason.

[anglotiger]

OK - someone convince me that this makes sense...? Can Shaw play a good 2B?

 

I just have this feeling that Stearns has no regard for any players he wasn't responsible for bringing in...

 

Come on, someone cheer me up about this rental...

[PeaveyFury]

Isn't Moustakas sign through next year? I thought he got a 2 year deal

 

I see an option, but it may be a mutual option.

[nate82]

Always a chance this a forerunner of another move (ie Shaw being moved for other necessary pieces)..

 

I don't believe this is the case. The Brewers are rather thin at 3B, I can't even name who is the 3B in AAA for the Brewers. Erceg also looks to be another 2-3 years away if he even makes it.

 

If you look at the available 3B this off season and the only possible option maybe Donaldson and I believe he would rather take a 1-year prove it deal in Toronto than playing in Milwaukee. Donaldson prefers to return to Toronto.

 

It just doesn't make sense for the Brewers to trade Shaw as there is no one to replace him in the minors or in FA after this year.