Cincinnati Reds

After upgrading in the outfield, the Cincinnati Reds are reportedly considering a trade involving center fielder Nick Senzel, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. 

This comes after the club reportedly agreed to a four-year deal with Nick Castellanos Monday, first reported by C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. The squad also signed Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama to a three-year deal earlier this month.

With Aristides Aquino breaking out last season and the likes of Jesse Winker and Phil Ervin also on the roster, there is not a lot of playing time to go around.

Senzel could provide a quality return after a promising rookie season in 2019 where he finished with a .256 batting average, 12 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 104 games.

The 24-year-old is also under team control through the 2025 season.

Still, it was a slightly disappointing debut for a player who entered the year with high expectations. The 2016 No. 2 overall draft pick was considered a top-10 prospect in baseball over the past two years after hitting over .300 at every level of the minors, plus each of his three seasons at Tennessee.

When he reached the majors in May, he struggled with consistency and produced just a .742 OPS. His defense was also below average, finishing with negative-one defensive runs saved, per Fangraphs.

The Reds are seemingly looking toward more proven players in 2020 as they try to get back in contention, with Castellanos providing a valuable jolt to the offense.

Trading Senzel could provide the young player a chance at a fresh start as he tries to live up to expectations.

The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent outfielder Nick Castellanos to a four-year, $64 million deal on Monday.

Mark Feinsand of MLB Network reported that "Castellanos' deal with the Reds has two opt-out clauses, after both the 2020 and 2021 seasons."

The 27-year-old used his 51 games with the Chicago Cubs to end last season to cash in with the Reds, whom MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported as "a player" in the Castellanos sweepstakes on Jan. 22.

Castellanos arrived at the Cubs at the MLB trade deadline last season. The Detroit Tigers, who drafted him in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft, traded him away along with Tony Kemp. 

From 2013 to midway through 2019 with the Tigers, Castellanos played a combination of outfield, third base and designated hitter. At the plate, he hit .274/.324/.459 for 104 home runs and 424 RBI across 837 games. 

After joining the Cubs last season, Castellanos' batting average improved from .273 to .321. In a 25-game span, he hit nine home runs, 16 RBI and accounted for 22 runs scored as well as 74 total bases with a .365 average and 1.112 OPS (h/t USA Today's Bob Nightengale). He took the field as an outfielder in all 51 of his Cubs appearances. 

On Sept. 17, MLB Network's Jon Morosi previewed Castellanos' free agency to the McNeil & Parkins Show on 670 The Score:

"Castellanos, because of how young he is, the fact that he's a 27-year-old free agent, I think the way that he has played for the Cubs—the qualifying offer will go away by virtue of the trade—I think his value has probably doubled on a per-year basis almost in the last couple months. I really believe that.

"He could now be a $20-million-a-year player. I look at what J.D. Martinez got last time around (five-year, $110-million deal) and Nick is not quite as powerful as what J.D. was at the time, but he is younger. And I think his defensive value—he has a chance to still be good. ... I think five times 20 (million), that range is a very fair estimate there for Castellanos."

On Sept. 30, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein expressed a desire to keep Castellanos ahead of his free agency:

The Cubs, apparently, couldn't find a way to make a long-term marriage work.

Many teams whiffed when Detroit made Castellanos available at last season's trade deadline, but Cincinnati made sure not to make that mistake during Castellanos' free agency. 

The Reds had a busy offseason. Third baseman Mike Moustakas became the largest free-agent signing in franchise history with a four-year, $64 million contract. The club also signed left-handed starter Wade Miley as well as 31-year-old outfielder Shogo Akiyama from Japan.

With Cincinnati, Castellanos figures to line up in right field alongside Akiyama in a reformed outfield.

The Cincinnati Reds appear to be leading the pack in the chase for free-agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com, the Reds "have emerged as the front-runner" to land him and there are "indications the sides have made progress over the past several days."

It would be an interesting addition for the Reds, who already have a pretty promising outfield in Jesse Winker, Aristides Aquino and Nick Senzel. That trio showed off solid upside last season:

• Winker: .269 average with 16 homers, 38 RBI, 51 runs and a .830 OPS in 113 games.  
• Aquino: .259 average with 19 homers, 47 RBI, 31 runs and a .891 OPS in 56 games.
• Senzel: .256 average with 12 homers, 42 RBI, 55 runs and a .742 OPS in 104 games.

Those numbers may not jump off the charts—outside of Aquino's power surge in a short spell in the majors last season, which was impressive—but the fact that all three players are 26 or younger bodes well for them going forward. Then there's the 31-year-old Shogo Akiyama, who the Reds signed to a three-year, $21 million deal.

So adding Castellanos as well would be a bit puzzling, unless the Reds are exploring potential trades on the market and would be willing to include some of their young outfielders. The Reds could use an upgrade at shortstop, for instance, and could perhaps offer Cleveland an attractive package for Francisco Lindor.

That kind of splash would make sense, even if it's a long shot. The team already added Mike Moustakas and Wade Miley this offseason and could be looking for another move or two to jolt a postseason push. The combination of Castellanos and another veteran hitter acquired via trade would give the Reds a nice boost to the lineup.

The 27-year-old outfielder had a solid 2019 season for the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, hitting .289 with 27 homers, 73 RBI, 100 runs and a .863 OPS in 151 games. It was his third straight season with at least 20 homers and 70 RBI. 

He'll be a solid addition for any team, though if he lands with the Reds, it will be fascinating to see if it precludes another move from the team.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer sat down for a Bleacher Report AMA on Friday that saw him answer questions on a variety of topics, including what it's like to get traded and the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal.

Bauer is never one to shy away from offering a strong opinion on any subject. Here are his responses to a series of questions.

             

You think the Astros should have their Championship vacated? (from @BluGoon)

No I don't. Do I think the outcome was affected by what they did? Yes, probably, but it shouldn't be vacated.

         

Do you think the Astros' punishments were enough? If not, what would you suggest? (from @parlayNBA)

I think they were fair. I think they were a good middle ground. It's a very complicated issue. I think Manfred's done a pretty good job toeing the line between what's right between the integrity of the game and making the punishments harsh enough for how much of a black eye they put on the league. So I think so far, I've been pretty pleased with it. 

         

Start, Bench, Cut: A.J. Hinch, Alex Cora, and Carlos Beltran (from @Uncrypted)

Start Beltran. Great player. Cora seemed to be a pretty good Bench coach. Hinch would probably be sweeping his front porch and cut. 

         

Are the balls juiced? (from @Jdubs24)

Yes. 

        

When will the Yankees get punished for stealing signs? (from @BostonDynasty524)

I guess when there is evidence that they steal signs and the MLB wants to punish them.

          

How prevalent are PEDs in the game today? (not asking for names just a percentage) (from @PhillipMackroch)

That's a great question and it's complicated. There are certain things that you can take legally if you have certain conditions that not everybody is able to take. For example, Adderall if you have ADHD, so that's technically a 'performance' enhancer. A decent number of guys have that. 

In terms of guys taking something illegally and skirting the rules, I would say I'd put it in the 10-ish% range of the league. I think that gets you close. It's not 50% but it's not 0% either. 

           

Were Astros pitchers cheating, too? If so, how? (from @Vernstradamus)

Every team's pitchers cheat, technically, by using foreign substances. But it's not specific to them.

         

Were you able to hear the trash cans banging during the games when you pitched against them? (from @anthony_west)

When I personally pitched, no. But I get so locked in a game when I pitch, I don't really hear anything. Everyone else can hear things, but I have no recollection of it at all. 

          

What was going through your mind when you chucked the ball over the Kauffman fence? (from @jakes11)

Frustration. I got super sick leading into that start and then that inning, everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong. And normally when things go wrong, I get mad and can fix it, but because I was sick I didn't even get that and it seemed like nothing could go right. So to sum it up…. Frustration. 

         

Could you explain an Arbitration hearing from a players point of view? Preparation involved, do you attend the hearing, do you get offended? (from @JoeBrichfield)

Here's a brief rundown: Tender date when the team decides if they are going to offer you a contract or not in December. You have between that and the exchange deadline by mid-Jan so you have to have a deal done or you exchange filed numbers. Then you have generally 3ish weeks to get ready for a hearing if you don't have the same numbers. THe hearing is interesting. Its a long table and at one end of the table are 3 arbitrators and they aren't baseball specific people, just labor arbitrators. NEED RECORDING 

On the other side, there is the team, and the people that are filing the case and a whole bunch of lawyers. Booklets are exchanged. We have our case, 120 page brief that is going to bbe delivered. At that point, the vast majority of those people just start going up to the room and finding rebuttles and start getting slides ready for the next part of the case. The people who remain in the room are the judges, players, agents and members of the LRD.

The player doesn't actually say a word in the case. The player side presents for an hour, followe by a brief intermission, the team presents for an hour, you get a half hour break. Then each side gets half an hour for rebuttle. Then the agent will argue a couple points, the union will argue a couple points and then the LRD will argue a couple points for the team and then the judges will decide one or the other. So yes, the player hears EVERYTHING that's said. 

           

Do you still like the Cleveland Indians organization or do you consider that place a personal rival of yours? Also, who is the hardest batter you've ever faced? (from @Ashdin13)

Second part is easiest: Miggy in his prime. He was just so capable and would spoil really good pitches. It made the at-bat really difficult. There are other people that hit me better, but as far as a chess match. 

As far as the Indians, I don't consider them a rival. There are a lot of people there that I have really good relationships with, so a few poor relationships shouldn't mar my relationships with other. I loved the fans, the city. I grew a lot in that city and Cleveland was such an integral part of my life, it'll be hard to look back and have negative feelings towards that. A lot of people I met there, both in baseball and outside friends, down to like the stadium attendants who would talk to my parents at the games, the clubhouse attendants, chefs, massage therapists, not even mentioning the players I came up with. Getting to go to the World Series, there are just so many good experiences there. 

         

How badly did you want to continue playing after your finger was gushing in blood during the playoffs? (from @WalkingBuckett)

Yeah, really badly. I really pride myself on not missing starts and being able to take the ball when it's my turn, I want to be able to do my job and take my turn. Especially in the playoffs. Toronto was really good that year, the atmosphere was good. Roof was closed, it was just electric. I was bummed not to get to go longer. 

         

If you were the GM of the Indians would you have traded yourself? (from @ThoughfulBudah)

Absolutely. I would have traded myself the prior offseason. 

         

Would you stay in Cincinnati for the rest of your career if you were given the chance? (from @Rannsidass)

I have no reason not to stay in Cincinnati. My goal is to be on a contender every year and to be allowed to do certain things in my career that I've aspired to do, like pitching every 4th day. So if Cincinnati is in contention and they allow me to pitch every 4th day, I don't see why not. 

           

What was the most memorable game you pitched in and why? (from @jusqui)

Game 7 of the World Series I technically pitched in it, but it's the most memorable game of my career. I got the last 2 outs in the 11th or whatever it was. Also, came in in extra innings in Toronto and pitched in the like, 19th in a game that ended at like, 2-1. 

I also have blown 2 22-win game streaks, so theres that. Maybe 3rd time will be a charm? 

           

Who has the best fans in the league? (from @mikeoxard)

Cleveland has to be up there. I have the most experience with Cleveland so they are definitely up there with the passion. The Red Sox. Cardinals fans are way up there too. They are really knowledgeable about the game. Those are the ones that come to mind off the bat.

           

Craziest locker room moment??? (from @Rhettro)

The easy way out is to talk about the celebrations when you win something. Champagne and cigars and everyone is taking pictures and dumping beers and spraying champagne. Without getting into some of the prankster moments, I would say celebrations.

         

Not the team, but thoughts on the City of Cleveland and NE Ohio? (from @Jmalley78)

A really really passionate sports city and fanbase. Lots of really good charitable organizations who do really good things. Nothing but positive, other than winters being very cold. I grew up in LA so I'm used to sunny and 70 so the winters are cold. 

           

What batter in history would you want to face the least and how would you pitch to him?? (from @SandClappers)

Miggy is interesting because his approach is so dynamic. His approach is this: He'll sit on middle speed pitches which allows him to take a fastball on the outside of the plate which allows him to beat the shift. Puts him on time for the slider and slightly early on the curve ball, but hes good enough to get his bat around. That means you have to throw fast balls in, which is really hard to get strikes on and he's so good at getting his hands in there and nicking the ball. And every now and again, he'll sit on a fast ball in and hit it 450 feet, and then go right back to his approach.

           

What was behind that argument with Alex Bregman? (from @meliegreenbaum)

Which one? We have trained together and it's just guys ribbing each other.  

           

If you were a member of the Astros what would your message be if you had to make a statement regarding your team? (from @Noonan36)

It's hard to say because I'm not in that situation. What's going to be said in Spring Training is 'Look, it's an unfortunate situation. It's been handled and would love to talk to you about this team and moving forward' and no one will actually say anything. 

         

What will factor into your FA decision at the end of 2020? (from @JackfromLost)

A lot. I want to contend for a world series, so the competitiveness of a team. So the analytics, players, being able to pitch every 4th day so that'll factor in. Money will factor in. it has to at some level. I want to be happy playing and enjoy my playing career so really just looking for a place I can enjoy. I am going to look for a 1 year deal 

             

Who are your top 5 pitchers in the league? (Not including yourself) (from @Angelmont47)

Scherzer, DeGrom, Cole, Verlander, Clevinger 

          

If you didn't play baseball what sport would you want to play? (from @halleberry45)

If I didn't play baseball, I probably wouldn't play a sport because i'm not really that athletic. Baseball was the one sport I could nerd my way to the top. I played soccer when I was little, but I wasn't very good at it. Can't jump or shoot so basketball is out. I would get blown up in football and hockey is too physical. Maybe badminton? I would probably be an engineer or something. 

                     

Would you ever make the move to the bullpen, as Lincecum did? I know you pitch similarly to him and he first made the move around your age. Also, Happy 29th Birthday my man. (from @Draw)

I have no interest in being a reliever. It's not to say I wouldn't do it at some point, but I would have to have a really long time to think about it or if I want to retire. 

            

What was your favorite team growing up? (from @dylanyag)

Either the Braves or the A's. I was just a fan of the pitching staff. So it was Hudson, Zito and Modl and ????????

           

Give me your max on, deadlift, squat and bench. Or what you think you would get. (from @frasathma)

I don't know. I do know deadlift: i don't pull straight bar, i pull from hexbar. 495. Bench I think 165 is the most I ever bench, but I rarely do straight bar bench. Squat, I've squatted 365, but I haven't squatted in years. Also the majority of my training isn't based on max. 

           

Chick-fil-A or Popeyes? (from @ChickfilAisbetta)

I've eaten more Chick-fil-A in my life so going to go with that. 

          

If you have 2 lasagnas and you stack one lasagna on top of the other...how many lasagnas do you have? (from @JustNewman12)

One. 

         

Bauer is preparing for his first full season with the Reds. Cincinnati acquired him last July from the Cleveland Indians, with whom he spent six-and-a-half seasons from 2013 to mid-2019.

In 10 starts after the trade, Bauer posted a 6.39 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 56.1 innings. Reds pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 14. They open the regular season March 26 against the defending National League Central champion St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cincinnati Reds agreed to a three-year deal with Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the bidding for Akiyama's services had eclipsed $20 million.

The 31-year-old batted .303 with a .471 slugging percentage, 20 home runs and 62 RBI in 143 games with the Saitama Seibu Lions in 2019.

The Reds have been active this offseason after finishing 75-87.

Acquiring Trevor Bauer in July showed the team was looking to make a move up the standings in 2020, and Cincinnati has since added Mike Moustakas and Wade Miley.

Signing Akiyama is another move to strengthen the Reds offense in preparation for a possible playoff run. The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans tweeted the team views him as "someone who can hit atop the order and play all three outfield spots — not solely as a CF."

Eno Sarris of The Athletic looked at Akiyama's numbers and compared him to Adam Eaton, Nick Markakis and Alex Gordon:

"This is fun, because Adam Eaton was mentioned as a comparable player by former big leaguer and current NPB right-hander Mike Bolsinger, and Patrick Newman, who runs NPBTracker, put forth Nick Markakis as a good offensive comparable when I asked.

"One problem with this sort of possible range of outcomes is that the current market is murder on the middle class, and a player who is likely to put up somewhere between a win or two is right in the crosshairs. They've gotten the least money compared to their projected value in the last few years, at least."

Akiyama is a career .301 hitter over nine seasons in Japan. He also averaged a little more than 12 steals per year while getting on base (.376) at a healthy rate.

The Reds already addressed their need to add power with Moustakas, who had 30-plus homers for the second time in his career in 2019. Now, Cincinnati has another solid hitter who—in addition to Joey Votto—should provide Moustakas and Eugenio Suarez with plenty of RBI opportunities.

The Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds have reportedly held trade talks focused on shortstop Francisco Lindor, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. 

Feinsand added that while it is unclear how serious the discussions have gotten, the Reds do have some high-level prospects to offer in a potential deal, including 2016 No. 2 overall draft pick Nick Senzel and 2018 No. 5 overall pick Jonathan India.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network later noted the Indians "are said to like" Senzel "very much," but added he hadn't heard a lot between the two sides regarding a deal for Lindor.

Despite being a four-time All-Star in five MLB seasons, Lindor has been the subject of trade rumors since last season since he is due for a massive contract extension in the next couple of years.

It's so disrespectful that Francisco Lindor isn't starting the All-Star Game.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/jnZhL5olWt

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 4, 2019

While Lindor is under team control through 2021, he will likely land one of the biggest contracts in baseball when the time comes to extend him, and it is unclear if the Indians are able or willing to give that to him.

Cleveland dealt starting pitcher Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers last week, so perhaps that gave the Indians the type of salary relief they need to at least hold on to Lindor for a bit longer.

If the Indians do decide to trade Lindor, however, the Reds look like a great fit on paper for a trade partner given the young talent they possess.

Also, the Indians and Reds have some recent history on the trade front. Cleveland dealt starting pitcher Trevor Bauer to Cincinnati last season as part of a three-team trade that also included the San Diego Padres.

In addition to Senzel or India, the Reds can offer a pair of big-time pitching prospects in Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, although it is unclear how willing Cincinnati would be to give up either of them.

The most MLB-ready of Cincinnati's prospects is the 24-year-old Senzel, who appeared in 104 games last season, hitting .256 with 12 home runs and 42 RBI. While he is still developing, he has real potential and is under team control longer than Lindor.

In Lindor, however, the Reds would be getting one of the best position players in the game. The 26-year-old shortstop is just two years removed from setting career highs with 38 home runs, 92 RBI, 129 runs scored and 25 stolen bases.

Despite missing 19 games last season, he still finished with a .284 batting average, 32 homers, 74 RBI, 101 runs and 22 steals.

Veteran Freddy Galvis is penciled in as Cincinnati's starting shortstop, but adding Lindor would allow the Reds to put Galvis in a utility role, and it would strengthen a lineup that already includes Joey Votto, Eugenio Suarez and Mike Moustakas.

The Reds have not reached the playoffs since 2013, but if they can add Lindor to a roster that already has a strong starting rotation with Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray and Bauer, they have a chance to be a factor in the NL Central in 2020.

The Cincinnati Reds reportedly bolstered their starting rotation Monday.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the National League Central team reached an agreement with left-handed pitcher Wade Miley on a two-year, $15 million deal pending a physical. Rosenthal pointed out Miley will reunite with Derek Johnson, who was his pitching coach on the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Reds are clearly looking to contend in 2020.

They already agreed to a deal with slugger Mike Moustakas and add a much-needed left-handed presence in their rotation with this move. Joel Sherman of the New York Post pointed out the team already had right-handers Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani anchoring the staff and now has a veteran to provide a different look.

That group has the potential to be one of the best in the league if Miley resembles the best version of himself.

He was an All-Star in 2012 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and posted a 2.57 ERA in 16 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018. However, he finished with an ERA north of 4.30 four straight years from 2014 through 2017 while pitching for the Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners.

Miley was solid last year on the Houston Astros with a 3.98 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 140 strikeouts in 167.1 innings, helping them reach the World Series.

He will look to do the same for the Reds in 2020.

With one signing, the Cincinnati Reds have improved from mere wannabe contenders to actual contenders in the National League Central.

As Jon Heyman of MLB Network was first to report, the Reds agreed to a deal with slugging infielder Mike Moustakas on Monday. It's a four-year, $64 million contract, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan:

Mike Moustakas' deal with the Cincinnati Reds is for four years and $64 million, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 2, 2019

By their standards, the Reds' $64 million pact with Moustakas is no small investment. It tops closer Francisco Cordero's four-year, $46 million deal from 2007 as their largest-ever free-agent contract.

This is a window into just how badly the Reds needed to add an impact bat. Though they improved from 67 wins in 2018 to 75 wins in 2019, they couldn't do better largely because their offense, well, stunk. It ranked 12th in the NL with 4.3 runs per game and a .736 OPS.

"There were a lot of close games that we lost that could have flipped the other way," Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams said in November, per Chris Haft of MLB.com. "So offense is an area we want to address, we want to improve."

For his part, Moustakas isn't the most consistent on-base machine. The .329 OBP he posted in 2019 was high relative to the .310 career mark he's compiled over nine seasons with the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers.

What the 31-year-old can do, however, is hit a lot of home runs. He's reached the 35-homer plateau in two of the last three seasons, and his 101 long balls since 2017 rank 14th out of all hitters.

Rather than suppress it, Great American Ball Park is more likely to augment Moustakas' home run power. Since it opened in 2003, the Reds' tiny-dimensioned home yard has yielded more home runs than any other stadium in Major League Baseball.

According to Passan, the Reds aren't done shopping just yet. Nor should they be. They have more money to spend, after all, and they probably need one more bat before they can call their offensive makeover complete.

But even as is, the Reds' new Moustakas-infused lineup has solid potential.

For most of 2019, Eugenio Suarez almost single-handedly carried Cincinnati's offense by going off for a .930 OPS and 49 homers. It wasn't until August and September that a proper helping hand finally materialized, as Aristides Aquino exploded for 19 homers in only 56 games.

Starting in 2020, Suarez, Moustakas and Aquino can be perhaps the NL's best trio of sluggers on an annual basis. Joey Votto, meanwhile, still got on base at a .357 clip in a "down" year in 2019. And if Nick Senzel can stay healthy, he might make good on the hype he generated while racking up a .312/.388/.508 slash line in the minor leagues.

In 2020, the Reds also figure to get decent power out of Freddy Galvis, who hit 23 home runs in 2019. In light of his .907 OPS against right-handers, Jesse Winker should be a good platoon bat.

If there's a red flag about the Reds' deal with Moustakas, it's that they plan to play him at second base. His natural position is on the other side of the diamond at third base.

But given that they had one of the league's most efficient defenses in 2019, the Reds can afford to take a hit on defense. And with the right shifts, they might neutralize whatever shortcomings Moustakas has as a second baseman anyway.

Besides, it's not as if Cincinnati's pitchers need much help. 

The Reds are rolling into 2020 with a star-studded rotation headlined by Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, Trevor Bauer (who came over from the Cleveland Indians in a July trade) and Anthony DeSclafani. Their bullpen doesn't measure up in terms of name recognition, but Raisel Iglesias, Michael Lorenzen, Amir Garrett and Robert Stephenson have plenty of nasty stuff between them.

As of right now, the Reds are probably more of an 85-to-90-win team than a 95-plus-win juggernaut. They shouldn't be expected to go toe-to-toe with National League heavyweights like, say, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

However, the Reds don't need to be a juggernaut to stand out in the NL Central.

The St. Louis Cardinals needed only 91 victories to capture the division championship in 2019. Now they're tasked with re-signing or replacing star outfielder Marcell Ozuna while also abiding by a mandate not to increase payroll.

The Chicago Cubs are facing a payroll crunch of their own in the wake of their disappointing 84-win season. Heck, they might have to trade core players such as Kris Bryant or Willson Contreras.

Yet no NL Central contender is hurting as much as the Brewers right now. They've lost Moustakas, Yasmani Grandal and Drew Pomeranz in free agency. In other words: two of their best hitters and their second-best relief pitcher.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Brewers were already willing to listen to offers for ace closer Josh Hader. After losing Moustakas, Grandal and Pomeranz, the writing on the wall could convince them to actively shop the two-time All-Star.

That leaves only the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are likely years away from being a threat again as they seek to recover from a 93-loss campaign in 2019.

It's a bit premature to condense all of this down into the simple message that the Reds are now the team to beat in the NL Central. The Cardinals and Cubs aren't entirely broken, after all, and the Brewers may yet recover from the early blows the offseason has dealt them.

But if nothing else, 2020 should end the Reds' string of consecutive losing seasons at six. And with the right breaks, they absolutely can win their first NL Central crown since 2012.

                 

Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus.

The Cincinnati Reds reached an agreement Monday with infielder Mike Moustakas on a four-year, $64 million contract, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.  

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported the Reds plan to play Moustakas at second base with Eugenio Suarez locked in as the everyday third baseman.

Moustakas declined an option in his contract with the Milwaukee Brewers following the 2019 MLB season, which allowed him to hit the open market for the third straight year.

Although a vast majority of his playing time across his nine-year career has come at third base, he did showcase impressive versatility in 2019 for the Brew Crew. Not only did he play 47 games at second base, a nontraditional spot for a 6'0'', 225-pound slugger, but he posted a .993 fielding percentage.

The 31-year-old Los Angeles native also remained his typically productive self at the plate. Along with a career-best .845 OPS, he posted 35 home runs and 30 doubles.

Moustakas, who started his career with the Kansas City Royals before a July 2018 trade to Milwaukee, owns a .252/.310/.441 triple-slash line with 182 homers in 1,131 MLB games.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell told Bob Nightengale of USA Today he was hopeful the former top prospect would land a lucrative multiyear deal after being relegated to one-year pacts with options during his past two forays into the free-agent market.

"I hope so. I really do, because he deserves it," Counsell said in June. "But I don't know what goes on. I really don't. I don't even understand free agency anymore. All I know is that he's making a statement."

As teams became hesitant to sink big money into long-term contracts, productive players have been forced to wait extended periods to sign. It's an issue that will take center stage as MLB and its Players Association discuss a new collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA ends after the 2021 season.

Contract issues aside, Moustakas has found a new home with the Reds and should continue to provide plenty of pop and strong defense.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Trevor Bauer's 2016 McLaren 650S was totaled Tuesday after a tire came loose from an 18-wheeler on Houston's North Freeway and broke through the window of a dealership, where the right-hander's car happened to be stationed.

Cory McCord of KHOU 11 News (h/t Chris Bengel of CBSSports.com) relayed the details of the accident, which did not result in any injuries. After the tire came loose, "it rolled across six lanes of traffic, struck a wall and then went through the glass window before landing on top of Bauer's ride."

The pitcher provided a picture of his car and the shattered window:

Yesterday, if you told me a semi truck would total my Mclaren, I would’ve believed you. If you told me it would happen like THIS? I would’ve said you’re out of your mind. If this isn’t @Mayhem I don’t know what is @Allstate pic.twitter.com/XqdiIgojB8

— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) November 27, 2019

Per McCord, Bauer's $300,000 McLaren is insured.

Bauer, who was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Reds in July, went 11-13 with a 4.48 ERA last season. He struck out 253 batters in 213.0 innings.