Reds give Castellanos four-year deal
After the Reds finished the 2019 season with a 75-87 record, their top priority in the offseason was improving their offense.
The lineup looks much stronger now after outfielder Nick Castellanos, the top hitter remaining on the free agent market, joined Cincinnati on a four-year, $64 million contract. His contract includes an opt-out clause after the 2020 and 2021 seasons, which could allow him to re-enter free agency after a strong year.
If Castellanos doesn’t opt-out of his contract, his $64 million deal is tied for the largest free agent signing in club history. The Reds signed second baseman Mike Moustakas to a similar fouryear, $64 million contract in December.
Castellanos will make $16 million in 2020.
“This is an offseason where we have prioritized adding to the offensive side of the club,” said Dick Williams, the Reds’ president of baseball operations. “Nick was one of the most attractive options on the market. He has been a consistently elite producer offensively, and that complements our existing team well.”
Castellanos, who will turn 28 in March, had a .289 batting average and .337 on-base percentage in 151 games with the Tigers and the Cubs last season. He led the major leagues with 58 doubles, adding 27 home runs, 73 RBI and 100 runs.
After he was traded to the Cubs in July, Castellanos shined with a 1.002 on-base plus slugging percentage during the final two months of the season with 21 doubles and 16 homers in 212 at-bats.