The Cincinnati Reds have made one signing and it solidifies their 2020 vision to compete and contend with the best in the NL this upcoming season.
Per ESPN Baseball Analyst Jeff Passan, the Cincinnati Reds have inked third baseman/ utility infielder, Mike Moustakas to a four-year, $64 million contract today in hopes of bolstering the Reds offense in 2020.
Moustakas, who has a 252. career batting average along 182 career home runs – including 35 last season with Milwaukee – will be moving to his new home stadium, Great American Ball Park, which is known for their short outfield dimensions. This will tremendously benefit Moustakas as he hopes to add more pop to the Reds offense and is already known for pulling balls to right field with his sweet lefty power stroke during his days in Kansas City and Milwaukee.
In 2019, the Reds, who finished 75-87. a fourth place finish in the NL Central, were led offensively by MVP candidate Eugenio Suarez and his 49 home runs along with the always consistent Joey Votto, but were unable to get much production from anywhere else in the lineup throughout the season. Late in the season, the Reds were given a nice surprise by rookie Aristides Aquino who got red hot after getting called up and went on a tear for 19 home runs in 56 games throughout August and September, giving the Reds a look at a potential star and valuable roster piece for years to come. Offensively the Reds still have some proving to do and don’t be surprised if they breakout this season.
Based on current roster, this is what the 2020 Reds’ lineup could look like:
CF Nick Senzel
1B Joey Votto
3B Eugenio Suarez
2B Mike Moustakas
RF Aristides Aquino
LF Jesse Winker
C Barnhart/Casali
SS Freddy Galvis— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 2, 2019
The Reds pitching rotation, which consists of ace, Trevor Bauer, young phenom, Luis Castillo, who was an all star this past season, Sonny Gray who had a terrific bounce back season, and Anthony DeSclafani to hold up the back end of the rotation, is extremely solid and by far one of the most underrated in baseball.
And they’re not done, either. The Reds have plenty more money to spend this winter and they see the National League Central as ripe for the taking. Remember, too, their rotation, with Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray and Anthony DeSclafani, is already very good. https://t.co/Ell2Ir7Hhr
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 2, 2019
The Reds have a lot of money to work with this off season, even with the signing with Moustakas, and will look to continue to bolster their offense and bullpen throughout the rest of the winter. With many names on the trade block and in free agency around the league, the Reds will look to take advantage of a wide open NL Central that includes the Brewers who have lost multiple players in free agency, the Cubs who may trade some pieces of their core for financial reasons, and the reigning division champion Cardinals who look to resign outfielder Marcel Ozuna or replace him if he leaves.
2020 could be the year the Reds find some success as they chase their first division title since 2012 and look to be contenders for a least a wild card spot this season.
(Photo Credit: USA Today)
