Yankees Trade Rumors: Mike Moustakas, J.A. Happ Drawing Interest Before 2018 MLB Deadline

With fewer losses than any team in baseball, the New York Yankees are among the favorites to win the 2018 World Series. That doesn’t mean the organization is satisfied with their current roster, and the Yankees are looking to upgrade both their pitching staff and lineup before the July 31 MLB trade deadline.

MLB Network’s Jon Heyman recently indicated that New York might be the favorite to acquire Toronto Blue Jays’ starting pitcher J.A. Happ. MLB.com’s Jon Morosi has reported that the Yankees are also interested in Mike Moustakas, who is the starting third baseman for the Kansas City Royals.

It’s long been thought that the Yankees would try to add a starting pitcher. The season-ending injury to Jordan Montgomery and the struggles of Sonny Gray have only enhanced that belief. Happ is among the most likely players to be traded since he’s a free-agent-to-be on a team that isn’t headed to the postseason.

Moustakas is playing for an even worse team and could be looking for a new contract next season, though on the surface he seems like less of a fit for the Yankees. New York doesn’t necessarily need any offensive help since they rank second in runs per game among all MLB teams.

First base has been New York’s biggest hole in the lineup, and the team reportedly has thoughts of moving the third baseman to the other corner infield position. Moustakas’ 16 home runs and .784 OPS would be an upgrade over Greg Bird, who has a .200 batting average in 32 games. Moustakas has played two games at first base this season.

Just as Moustakas would be an upgrade over Bird or Neil Walker, Happ is a better option than fifth starter Domingo German and probably Gray, as well. The 35-year-old’s 4.03 ERA is as high as it’s been in four years, though he does have a 1.11 WHIP with 110 strikeouts and just 28 walks in 102.2 innings pitched.

The Yankees are second overall in AL team ERA, though five teams have gotten a better ERA from their starting rotation. That includes the Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox, who are likely all headed to the playoffs.

New York has plenty of minor-league talent to get a trade done. It’s just a matter of what they are willing to part with in pursuit of their first championship in nine years.