Reds, Castellanos agree to $64 million, four-year deal

D-backs acquire OF Marte from Pirates

Jan 28, (AP): Free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos agreed to a $64 million, fouryear deal Monday in the Cincinnati Reds’ latest big-money move to emerge from years of losing, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the club hadn’t announced the deal, which would allow Castellanos to opt out and become a free agent after the 2020 season.

It’s the fourth significant move by the Reds, who have been among the most active teams in free agency since they wrapped up their sixth consecutive losing season. Cincinnati has committed $174 million to new players, including the two biggest free agent deals in club history.

The Reds signed second baseman Mike Moustakas to a $64 million, four-year deal and added left-handed starter Wade Miley on a $15 million, two-year deal. Japanese All-Star outfielder Shogo Akiyama got a $21 million, threeyear deal.

The Reds’ biggest weakness last season was offense. They finished near the bottom of the National League in runs despite playing in one of its most hitter-friendly ballparks.

Castellanos batted .289 last season with the Tigers and Cubs, who got him in a mid-season trade. He hit 27 homers overall, drove in 73 runs and had 58 doubles while playing right field primarily in Detroit and Chicago.

Starling Marte is heading to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Pittsburgh Pirates sent the two-time Gold Glove outfielder and 2016 All-Star to the Diamondbacks on Monday for prospects Liover Peguero and pitcher Brennan Malone. The Diamondbacks received cash considerations as part of the deal while Pittsburgh obtained $250,000 in international signing money.

The 31-year-old Marte is coming off a stellar 2019 in which he hit .295 and set career-highs with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs. He has an $11.5 million salary this year, and his contract includes a $12.5 million team option for 2021 with a $1 million buyout.

Marte served as one of the core members of the group that led the Pirates to three consecutive playoff berths from 2013-15. He reached the All-Star game in 2016 but also served an 80-game suspension in 2017 after testing positive for steroids.

The Pirates are in the midst of a rebuild after revamping their leadership structure following a last-place finish in the NL Central in 2019.

Oft-injured pitcher Shelby Miller re-signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, agreeing to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training camp.

The team announced the move Monday on Twitter.

Miller, an All-Star in 2015 with Atlanta, was released by Texas last July and signed by the Brewers to a minor league deal. He made eight minor league starts, five at Triple-A San Antonio and three in rookie ball, but did not appear in a big league game for them and was released in late August.

The 29-year-old right-hander, drafted 19th overall by St Louis in 2009, is 38-56 with a 4.11 ERA in 150 major league games, including 132 starts. He has pitched for the Cardinals, Braves, Diamondbacks and Rangers over eight seasons.

Right-handed reliever Brandon Kintzler has agreed to a $3.25 million, one-year deal with the Miami Marlins, pending a physical.

Kintzler has a 3.37 career ERA in 10 seasons with four teams. He had a 2.68 ERA last year for the Cubs in 62 games.

Kintzler had 28 saves for the Twins in 2017, when he made the American League All-Star team.

Big league players, managers and fans might be hearing a lot more from umpires this season.

Replay review decisions could be announced at the ballpark by umps wearing microphones, several people familiar with the plan told The Associated Press on Monday. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because no decision has been made.

Major League Baseball and the umpires are actively discussing the possibility. If the technical aspects can be worked out and the umps are comfortable with the concept, they could be mic’d up sometime this year – both sides say there’s lots of work to do, making it uncertain whether this could be in place by opening day on March 26.