Snubbed ‘Moose’ off to red-hot start
The Supreme Court upheld the double jeopardy standard in the United States Constitution, but nowhere in the legal arguments did Brewers infielder Mike Moustakas’ name ever come up.
The Fifth Amendment stands: “No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb” for the same offense.
Well, when the Major League Baseball Players Association sits down next week to open negotiations with MLB’s labor lawyers at the halfway point of the collective bargaining agreement, you can be assured Moustakas will be a prime exhibit.
After all, how can a prized power-hitting infielder be punished not once, but twice in consecutive years, for simply being a free agent?
The Supreme Court’s ruling could have blunt implications for defendants, but in the case of Michael Christopher Moustakas, the transgressions against him the past two years threaten the essence of free agency.
He became a free agent for the first time in the winter of 2017 after hitting 38 home runs and driving in 85 runs, the most homers in Royals history. He remained unemployed until halfway through spring training when Kansas City brought him back on a one-year, $6.5 million deal, nearly $11 million less than the $17.4 million qualifying offer.
He refused to sulk, came back, had another strong season, was traded to the Brewers in July and wound up with 28 homers and 95 RBI, helping Milwaukee get within one game of the World Series.
This time, with draft-pick compensation no longer tied to him, he figured the winter would be entirely different. Instead it was Groundhog Day. Spring training started, and Moustakas had no job, and he wound up signing a one-year, $7 million contract back with the Brewers, including an $11 million option or $3 million buyout in 2020.
Well, here we are three weeks before the All-Star Game, and Moustakas is having his best season yet, hitting .279 with 21 homers and 45 RBI with a .931 OPS going into Wednesday. Moustakas, who is splitting his time between third base and second base, has the sixthmost homers in baseball with the 11thbest slugging percentage at .581.
Why, outside of Christian Yelich, Moustakas has been the most valuable player on the team and hugely responsible for the Brewers sitting in first place in the National League Central.
“He deserves to be starting the AllStar Game,” Yelich tells USA TODAY, “because he’s definitely been the most productive second baseman. It’s just incredible what he’s doing. He’s been huge for our success. He’s not just a great player, but a great teammate.
“I’m sure it’s frustrating what he’s gone through, but he’s handled it so well, better than a lot of guys would have in that situation, that’s for sure. He could definitely help a lot of teams win. I’m just glad he’s doing it for us.’’
Moustakas, who went to the World Series in back-to-back years with the Royals, winning the 2015 championship, has always been considered the ultimate teammate.
This spring, before the Brewers signed him, they asked him if he’d be willing to play second base, a position he’d never played. He played shortstop growing up. He didn’t hesitate. He’s made only four errors while dividing his time between third base and second. He broke the tip of his index finger in April, but instead of going on the injured list, he was back in the starting lineup four games later.
“Both winters were pretty surprising in their own ways,” Moustakas says. “Certain things happened differently for me and a couple of other guys. I mean, it’s really surprising to see (Dallas) Keuchel and (Craig) Kimbrel sign so late, too. Those two guys can make any team in baseball better.
“But it’s over and done with now. What can I do? I think there’s a little part what happened that motivates me, but not too much, man. It’s pretty easy for me to go out and get motivated when I step on a major league field.”
Fifteen second and third basemen earn more than him this year, 10 in the NL. While he sat by waiting for his payday, he watched former Royals teammates Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain get paid $224 million in free agency. He can’t get a multiyear contract.
“I feel bad for him, we all do,” said Brewers starter Gio Gonzalez, who faced a cold winter himself. “I’m 100% sure he deserves way more than he got. The guy is 30 years old, has 66 homers and almost 200 RBI (180) in the last two years, is phenomenal in the clubhouse, and nobody wanted him the last two winters? I don’t get it. What more does he need to do? What more does he need to prove? It’s unreal. He’s done it all. And he’s doing it again.”
Fans are making sure this summer he’s not forgotten. Moustakas ranks second in the All-Star balloting among NL second baseman behind only Ozzie Albies of the Braves and surely will be one of the three finalists for the final vote to determine who starts.
“I’d love to make it; I really would,” Moustakas said. “But playing in the playoffs is what it’s all about. That’s the most important thing. I’ve been to the World Series twice, and there’s nothing like it.”