Cincinnati Reds reportedly sign Mike Moustakas to four-year deal

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 01: Mike Moustakas #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers looks on during batting practice prior to the National League Wild Card game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 01, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 01: Mike Moustakas #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers looks on during batting practice prior to the National League Wild Card game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 01, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Reds have found their second baseman. Mike Moustakas, formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers, has reportedly signed a four-year deal with Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Reds sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball on Monday afternoon with their reported signing of infielder Mike Moustakas. The front office made a vow to upgrade the offense and Moustakas will certainly provide a lift in that department. Historically a third baseman, expect Moose to take the reigns of the vacant job at second base.

Fans have been waiting for weeks for Cincinnati’s front office to make a move. With the likes of Didi Gregorius, Nicholas Castellanos, and Marcell Ozuna rumored to be on the Reds radar, most fans throughout Reds Country are likely shocked and surprised by the signing of Moustakas.

After missing out on Yasmani Grandal, who signed a four-year deal with the Chicago White Sox, Dick Williams and Nick Krall obviously turned their attention to Plan B. Moustakas had another phenomenal season in 2019, hitting .254/.329/.516 with 35 home runs and 87 RBIs. Moustakas is a left-handed bat that the team can slot right between Aristides Aquino and Eugenio Suárez.

Moustakas is a three-time All-Star, most recently as last year with the Brewers. Moustakas just turned 31-years old and his reported four-year contract is worth $64M according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

The Moustakas signing came just moments after reports broke that the Reds had non-tendered infielder José Peraza. Moustakas will likely play second base, eliminating the need for Peraza on the roster. This would also seem to signal that the Reds are confident in Nick Senzel manning center field in 2020 as well.

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Fans have been patiently waiting for the front office to make their move, and I for one don’t believe they’re finished. With Moustakas, the Reds now have a legitimate bat to join Suárez in the middle of the lineup. If Cincinnati’s front office lands another big bat and Aquino builds off last season, this offense could look really good next season.