The Cincinnati Reds have signed outfielder Nicholas Castenallos to a four-year, $64 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Heyman notes that Castellanos has opt-outs in Years 1 and 2 of the contract.
Castellanos was the best bat remaining on the market, so this is a big move for the Reds as they try to take a step forward.
The 27-year-old split the 2019 campaign between the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, slashing .289/.337/.525 with 27 home runs, 58 doubles and 73 RBI over 664 plate appearances.
Castellanos was originally selected by the Tigers in the first round (44th pick overall) of the 2010 MLB Draft.
The Reds' new outfielder made his big-league debut in 2013, playing in 11 games and logging five hits in 18 plate appearances. The following year, Castellanos became a full-time starter for Detroit, slashing .259/.306/.394 with 11 long balls and 66 RBI across 579 trips to the dish. He posted very similar numbers in 2015, registering a slash line of .255/.303/.419 with 15 dingers and 73 RBI through 595 plate appearances.
Finally, in 2016, Castellanos broke out, slashing .285/.331/.496 with 18 dingers and 58 RBI over 447 trips to the plate. The Davie, Fl. native then saw a spike in home-run power, totaling 26 homers and 101 RBI while posting an .811 OPS.
Castellanos continued his success in 2018, recording a slash line of .298/.354/.500 with 23 home runs, 46 doubles and 89 RBI across 678 plate appearances.
Nicholas Castellanos was traded from the Tigers to the Cubs this past July. He made splash in Chicago, but clearly didn't get a good enough offer to stay, allowing the Reds to take advantage.
The Reds have been awfully busy this offseason, as they have also signed notable free agents such as third baseman Mike Moustakas and left-handed starting pitcher Wade Miley.
Cincinnati won just 75 games in 2019 and has not made the playoffs since 2013, but the club certainly appears to be on the right track moving forward.
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