Moustakas signs to Reds on 4-year deal

The Reds showed just how serious they were about upgrading their lineup this offseason on Monday. Cincinnati and free agent Mike Moustakas have agreed to a four-year $64 million contract, sources told MLB.com.

Although a natural third baseman, Moustakas is expected to fill the vacancy at second base. The Reds already have Eugenio Suárez installed at third base and under a long-term contract.

Moustakas, 31, batted .254/.329/.516 last season with 35 home runs and 87 RBIs in 143 matches for the Brewers and made the National League All-Star squad. He has averaged 34 homers with an .817 OPS over the past three seasons.

A three-time All-Star and left-handed hitter, Moustakas languished on the open market each of the previous two winters and had to settle for one-year contracts – first with the Royals and then for Milwaukee.

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Moustakas spent the first six seasons of his career as a star third baseman for the Royals and played in the 2014 and ’15 World Series, including obtaining the title in 2015. He was traded from Kansas City to Milwaukee on July 27, 2018.

The Brewers used Moustakas at second base in 47 games during this past season, including 40 starts. He eventually was moved back to third base.

Heading into this offseason, the Reds placed a premium on adding offense.

Cincinnati ranked 12th in the NL in hitting and runs scored, while going 75-87. Although the Reds set a new club record with 227 home runs, they scored 701 runs — just five more over the previous year.

They made an attempt to sign free-agent catcher Yasmani Grandal, but he signed a four-year, $73 million contract with the White Sox. Now the Reds have positional stability again at second base with a veteran run-producer like Moustakas

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