Newly Acquired Hitters will Help Reds Push for Division Title

Overtime Heroics Editorial

2012 days ago

The Cincinnati Reds finished fourth in the National League Central last year at 75-87. They look to turn the page in 2020 after a busy offseason. Over $166 million were spent over the winter to acquire five major players. There are three main hitters that may help to push the Reds to the top of the division in 2020. In addition, many other role players were signed to strengthen their depth. Let’s review them all.

Mike Moustakas

Moustakas, 31, signed a four-year $64 million contract with Cincinnati. The former Kansas City Royal and Milwaukee Brewer is a third baseman by trade, but is likely to play second base for the Reds with Eugenio Sáurez occupying third. The three-time All-star brings a career 17.1 WAR and a .252 batting average. Also, he has substantial power, hitting at least 28 home runs in each of the past three years.

Nicholas Castellanos

Castellanos, 27, signed a four-year $64 million contract to be a Red. The outfielder had played with Detroit his entire career until he was traded to the Cubs at last year’s deadline. Like Moustakas, Castellanos offers consistent power in the lineup, hitting at least 23 homers in each of the past three seasons. In addition to power, Castellanos also has a career .277 batting average, and hit .289 last year.

Shogo Akiyama

Akiyama is the Reds’ big international star. The 31-year-old signed a three-year $21 million deal with the Reds, bringing the Japanese phenom to America. He will compete for a starting spot in the Reds new-look outfield. Akiyama has batted well over .300 in four of the past five seasons in the Japanese League. His elite talent earned him five All-star bids in his nine seasons with the Seibu Lions.

Going Forward:

In addition to those three hitters, Cincinnati also added starting pitcher Wade Miley and reliever Pedro Strop. There is plenty of hype surrounding all of these players. MLB.com has the Reds projected to win the NL Central with the third-highest national league record of 86-76. Reds fans are excited for the season to get underway as the Reds are poised for a playoff birth in arguably the toughest division in baseball.

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