Los Angeles Angels hold discussions with Moustakas

Los Angeles Angels continue to pursue big name free agents after the signing of Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani.

According to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, the Angels have had discussions with  third baseman free agent Mike Moustakas.

As Fletcher mentioned, nothing seems to be hot between the two, but it is something and the Angels do show interest.

Moustakas, who has spent his entire MLB career with the Kansas City Royals, is an obvious fit at thirdbase where the Angels lacked production at the position last season. The Angels posted a slash line of .238/.318/.395 between five players. We’d assume Angels’ general manager Billy Eppler is not interested in platooning third base come 2018.

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Eppler has already expressed the Angels need more power in their batting lineup and Moustakas definitely fits the mold. For 2017, Moustakas had a career-high 38 home runs, posting a slash line of .272/.314/.521.

Moustakas,29, brings some stability to the ballclub as well. Playing in at least 130 games in five of his seven seasons. Showing that Moustakas can remain relatively healthy for an entire season.

Besides the tangibles, Moustakas also brings experience. He’s a World Series winner and brings a veteran presence for the Angels if they reach the postseason.

Although Moustakas to the Angels seems like a good fit, he’ll definitely command some cash. Spotrac.com projects Moustakas’ contract to have an average annual salary of $16.6 million, almost doubling what he made last season.

The 2018 MLB luxury tax threshold projects to be $197 million. Even with the signings of outfielder Justin Upton, whose base salary for 2018 is $16 million, and reliever Jim Johnson, $4.5 million, the Angels still have wiggle room to sign a quality free agent thanks to the Ohtani signing.

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Having read that, Eppler has a way of bringing quality free agents to Los Angeles. Moustakas, who is from the LA area, may want to come back home and play where he’s originally from.