Mike Moustakas' trip into MLB free agency did not go as planned. The Royals third baseman hit a career-high 38 home runs in 2017. Among free agents, only J.D. Martinez (45) hit more last season, and Martinez landed a five-year, $110 million dollar contract from the Red Sox. Former teammate Eric Hosmer, who hit 25 home runs in 2017, got an eight-year, $144 million contract from the San Diego Padres.
Surely, Moustakas, as the premier third baseman in free agency, expected a nine-figure contract along the lines of what Martinez and Hosmer received.