Guess what, the Cincinnati Reds are really going for it in 2020
Get this, the Cincinnati Reds are trying. As in trying to win. Really. Seriously. Not kidding. We know this because the Reds are spending. As in spending money. Real money on real players. The type of players that should make the Reds contenders. Right now.
On Tuesday, the Reds staged an official news conference to officially announce the signing of free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos. Traded midseason from Detroit to the Chicago Cubs last year, Castellanos hit a combined 58 doubles last season to go along with his 27 homers and 73 RBI before becoming a free agent. The Reds won that derby via a four-year, $64 million contract.
That came after the Reds signed former Milwaukee Brewers infielder Mike Moustakas to a four-year, $64 million deal. The Reds signed left-handed pitcher Wade Miley to a two-year, $15 million contract. And outfielder Shogo Akiyama inked a three-year, $21 million deal to leave Japan and play for the Reds in 2020.
Plug those newcomers into a roster that includes quite possibly the best starting rotation in all of baseball led by Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, Trevor Bauer, Anthony DeSclafani and Miley. Throw in third baseman Eugenio Suarez (49 homers last year) at third base, along with first baseman Joey Votto and closer Raisel Iglesias, both due to return to form, and the Reds are actually interesting again.
It’s true. The Reds rebuild that belatedly began in 2015 hasn’t bore much fruit. Cincinnati lost 98 games in 2015, 94 in ’16, ’94 in ’17 and 95 in ’18. A flurry of offseason trades for Gray, Yaisel Puig and Alex Wood, among others, lifted the Reds to just 75-87 last season under first-year manager David Bell. But then team president Dick Williams and general manager Nick Krall flipped Puig for Bauer, who posted a 2.21 ERA in 28 starts in 2018. Then owner Bob Castellini opened the wallet.
The additions of Moustakas, Miley and Akiyama showed the Reds were serious about an upgrade, but the Castellanos signing showed they’re really going for it. The contract includes opt-outs after both 2020 and 2021, meaning the outfielder is free to walk after either of those seasons. It’s possible he could be in Cincinnati for just one year.
Critics have pointed out the Reds now possess a glut of outfielders. Just a couple of years ago, outfielder Jesse Winker was considered the star of the team’s farm system. Former No. 2 overall pick Nick Senzel made it to the bigs last year not as a third baseman, his college position, but as the center fielder. Alas, Senzel spent the season (a) learning and (b) battling injuries.
The Akiyama signing and now the Castellanos addition have prompted some to believe Senzel will be dealt, possibly for a reliever. I admit to joining that line of thinking, but now I’m not so sure. Thanks to analytics, the days of the set eight-man lineup are over. And Senzel has shown he can play several positions.
Williams told the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Bobby Nightengale on Tuesday he expects Senzel to remain with the Reds. “I like what he brings to our club. He’s an impact, young offensive player. They don’t come along very often.”
So can the Reds pass the Cubs (84-78 last year), Brewers (89-73) and Cardinals (91-71) in the NL Central? Sure they can. For the most part, the division leaders have stood pat this offseason. The Cubs have lost Castellanos and pitcher Cole Hamels. The Brewers lost set-up man Jeremy Jeffress (to the Cubs). The Cardinals lost outfielder Marcell Ozuna (to the Braves).
And even if the Reds don’t win the division, or make the playoffs for the first time since 2013, at least they will be in the hunt. To have a franchise-record payroll of $140 million and not contend would be a major disappointment for the team on the banks of the Ohio.
Said Castellanos at Tuesday’s press conference, “I’m excited to play 81 games in this ballpark.”
Reds fans (finally) have something to be excited about, too.
Upcoming Reds dates
Feb. 14: Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Goodyear, Ariz.
Feb. 17: Position players report to spring training.
Feb. 22: Opening game of spring training vs. Cleveland Indians at Goodyear, Ariz.
March 26: Opening Day vs. St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati
