The Reds announced that they have signed catcher Curt Casali to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2024. In a corresponding move, infielder Mike Moustakas was designated for assignment. Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports that Casali will be guaranteed $3.25MM, which takes the form of a $2.5MM salary and a $750K buyout on the option. There’s also a $250K assignment bonus to be paid to him in the event he’s traded. Casali is represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council.
Moustakas, 34, signed a four-year, $64MM deal with the Reds going into the 2020 season. At the time, he was coming off a five-year stretch with the Royals and Brewers where he hit 130 home runs and produced a batting line of .264/.325/.491. That amounted to a 111 wRC+, indicating he was 11% better than league average in that time. He had also diversified his defensive abilities, playing 47 games at second base with the Brewers in 2019 after being a primary third baseman prior to that.
The first season of the deal went fine enough, as Moustakas hit .230/.331/.468 for a wRC+ of 105. However, the past two seasons have been disappointing, with Moustakas battling various injuries, including a heel contusion and a calf strain, and struggling to produce when on the field. He played just 62 games in 2021 and 78 in 2022, hitting .211/.289/.356 for a wRC+ of 73.
Though Moustakas has one year remaining on his deal, it seems the Reds weren’t interested in letting him play it out. Over the past few years, they’ve seen Jonathan India take over the second base job and prospect Spencer Steer seems ready for an extended audition at third. Moustakas has also played a bit of first base, but the Reds have Joey Votto there and also added Wil Myers into the mix by signing him today. Catcher Tyler Stephenson could also factor in with the club now having three backstops. More on that below.
The Reds will now have a week to work out a trade or pass Moustakas through waivers but it’s unlikely they will find a deal. Moustakas is still owed $22MM in the form of an $18MM salary and a $4MM buyout on a club option for 2024. Given that he’s been injured and/or underperforming for a couple of years now, no team will want to take that on. The Reds could theoretically offer a prospect in a trade to sweeten the deal, but it wouldn’t make much sense to do that as it would merely subtract young talent from the rebuilding club. The most likely scenario is that Moustakas is released and becomes a free agent. Any team could then be able to sign him and pay him the prorated league minimum for any time spent on their active roster, with that amount being subtracted from what the Reds pay.
As for Casali, 34, he’s a perfectly serviceable big league catcher, though he’s never really been a club’s primary option. Though he has 462 career games played, he’s never tallied more than 84 in any individual season. He’s generally been a strong defender behind the plate, having tallied 16 Defensive Runs Saved in his career and a slightly above-average mark in terms of framing. He’s not a liability at the plate either, with a career batting line of .223/.316/.392. That amounts to a wRC+ of 92, which is 8% below league average overall but roughly average for a catcher. His 27.8% strikeout rate is definitely on the high side but he also has drawn walks at a strong 10.7% rate. He’s also drawn interest from the Giants and Cubs this winter but will instead go to Cincinnati, where he spent the 2018-2020 seasons.
Casali is the second catcher signed by the Reds this offseason, as they’ve also added Luke Maile earlier. Those two will join Tyler Stephenson to give the club a three-headed catching corps. Stephenson seemed to emerge as the club’s catcher of the future with a 2021 breakout that saw him hit .286/.366/.431 for a wRC+ of 110 along with solid defensive numbers. However, he was limited to just 50 games in 2022 due to a concussion, a broken thumb and a broken clavicle. He’s also seen some time at first base and could theoretically do that more this year, yielding some of the catching time to Casali and Maile while keeping his bat in the lineup.
The club’s payroll is now up to $81MM, per the calculations of Roster Resource. That’s still well shy of their $114MM figure from Opening Day 2022, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts, though the rebuilding club might not add much more. C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic relays word from general manager Nick Krall, who says they’d “have to great creative” to add more money.
Images courtesy of USA Today Sports.
The Moose is loose.
In the hoose?
I can see the Yankees or Red Sox take a flyer once he clears waivers. Boston for example could use a righty bat should they trade Dalbec. At his salary no one is touching him but at the veteran minimum, his agent could have many calls to return.
Poor fielding first basemen who are at best league average hitters have no trade value. See Hosmer, Eric.
He bats lefty
As a league minimum flier Moustakas is at least worth bringing to training camp. Makes sense for the Yankees to see if he could be Matt Carpenter 2.0
Moose bats lefty and didn’t too well primarily batting against RHP last year. All things equal, I’d rather have Josh Donaldson.
My bad. Thank you. To all Sox fans, we got Devers’ replacement in waiting…
My thinking he was a righty aside, he and Hosmer are still MLB talent.
Hosmer was designated for assignment so I’m assuming he’s as good as gone.
officially released if I remember correctly
Just saw that, he was released
Moustakas is a lefty bat
Maybe if he can lay off of a bean burrito.
Except Moose is lefty
lefty
Can’t Moose still play 3B in a pinch?
That’s what Reds had hoped but he was injured the past two years, he’s mayb a DH, not 1/2 the player he was a few years ago
Are you saying his recent injuries are a direct result of him playing 3B? That’s a stretch.
Injury prone because he is grossly overweight and out of shape….
Injury prone because he is grossly overweight for an MLB player, and out of shape….
That has little to do with his ability to play 3B when he is healthy. If Sandoval could do it, so can Moose.
Awwww snap here come the Padres sporting that Goose to sign this Moose no more loose
@hippyripper the Pads were in on him once upon time; don’t see it happening. A reunion with Profar would be more likely but a stretch as well. The moose might be a burger as this point, hope I’m wrong.
Perhaps Dodgers should take a peek if goes on waivers.
Yep Dodgers could fix him and use him against RHP in case Vargas isn’t ready.
“Can he play SS? Asking for a friend.” – Farhan Zaidi
Get used to teams cutting bait on the last year/s of deals with the way things are going. Heck in 10 years maybe the pirates take some of the money Cohen is gonna have to pay them and get a couple 1 WAR seasons out of correa at the tail end of that deal at league minimum… double whammy!
If he wasn’t injured in 2014, he may be eligible to become a Giant
Ahhh snap here come the Padres sporting that Goose to sign this Moose no more loose
A moose once bit my sister …
We apologize for the fault in these comments. Those responsible have been sacked.
Good moves by the Reds today. Mike Moustakas was the biggest waste of money in franchise history.
I seem to recall a few people claiming MKE really messed up letting him get away. I wonder if any of them would admit being wrong about that.
hard to say, definitely didnt want
him at the price he signed for, but 3B hasnt exactly been figured out since he left… kudos for the man getting paid tho
Still have to roll with Ryan Madsen on that one…
Surprised that the reds didn’t try a trade with Atlanta for like Ozuna at least get some player back. Ozuna when sober and not beating his wife is good for 25-30 home runs a year
Try 20-30 home runs. He’s hit between 20 and 25 four times. Oddly, it’s always been exactly 23 in those four years.
Him and Hosmer were two bums who hit the freakin’ lottery when they became free agents.
Now, they can have lunch together and go shopping after Hosmer gives Moose an eyebrow and beard trim!
roywhite;
Actually, Moose and Hosmer were hardly bums, they were major contributors on a team that went to 2 World Series in a row and won one.
Can you share with us a few of your personal high achievements?
Samuel,
Well roy does have 7 thumbs ups to your 1. It’s not much, but it’s something.
Bart Harley Jarvis;
Probably because most posters here are front-runners that: 1) know nothing about how baseball is played; 2) how difficult it is; 3) have no class; and 4) if they ran into Moose and Hosmer somewhere in public they’d go up to them, tell them they’re baseball fans and like them.
Samuel
The scoreboard is heating up, 11-6!
IT’s history now, their washed up
I think the Homer Bailey contract much larger. That didn’t pan out too well either.
Wasting of money? No impossible fans love it when teams sign a post prime player for 2-3 more years then they should and they try to justify it abs say dumb things like not my money! Not sure how he wasn’t one of the best players he makes lots of money. From what I know about people here spending is king so I’m pretty sure he was their best player.
Yep, and I can not understand why it was not done BEFORE the 40 had to be set.
Jay’s will sign him and Atkins will say how great he is
I actually wouldn’t mind if they brought in Hosmer as a left handed hitting bench player. Moustakas would be vomit inducing.
Today, I opened a gate for an old man.
Approve….
First Hosmer is released and now this, terrible week to be a 2015 Royals corner infielder. Maybe KC can pick up one or both of them back as veteran presences/returning former greats.
The fans have little else to look forward to, so probably not a bad idea.
They should’ve grabbed Wil Myers as well (and resign Grienke) and could’ve fielded a team that can segway into old timers day.
Seeing the Reds DFA Moustakas makes me feel a lot better about their future. Instead of keeping him and playing him because they’re paying him anyway, they cut bait so the team could improve, whether it’s a one year option of a veteran or one of the younger guys getting at bats and innings. Great job Reds
Agree. Moose is addition by subtraction(on the field at least). The huge sunk salary is a whole different story. Imagine paying his contract over it’s term for basically nothing in return as far as production..
@Joe It All, this was a great template to use for the future. Mets fans, feel free to use it and fill in the blank as appropriate.
“Seeing the Mets DFA —-(fill in the blank here – examples include Correa and Nimmo)—- makes me feel a lot better about their future. Instead of keeping him and playing him because they’re paying him anyway, they cut bait so the team could improve. Great job Mets.”
Haters gonna hate.
Very true. I hate the 12-year Correa contract and the 8-year Nimmo contract. I also hate Trea Turner and Bogaerts each for 11 years.
Albert Pujols was coming off a World Series championship and was one of (if not the) best hitter in baseball in 2011. And he still aged poorly and was DFA’ed at the end of his 10 year contract. Miguel Cabrera, Robinson Cano…or how ’bout fresh longer-term contracts that already look bad – Kris Bryant or Christian Yelich.
Sure all these new contracts could pan out and everyone will be happy…but the odds are not in their favor. I would have hoped the Pujols and Cabrera contracts would have been templates for what “not” to do. But apparently not. There’s a huge difference between winning the offseason, winning the regular season, and most importantly, winning in the playoffs.
Dirk, I loathe it too. It damages the game. Keeping a washed up player on the roster because he’s getting paid $25-30MM yr makes the team bad and inhibits prospects from making the roster.
Don, I couldn’t agree more. These contracts become albatross’ around the teams necks and they rarely pan out (if ever). You get comments like “Haters gonna hate” as if this is a desirable approach for a team or a fanbase. That being said, I actually love that the Mets are stealing the New York media limelight from the Yankees; that’s fun to watch.
But for one of the richest men in the world to come into an established payroll system and blow it to smithereens, thus driving up prices for all players (and the trickle-down effect to the fans), should not be celebrated.
Case in point: Brandon Nimmo got a $162M contract. To put that in perspective, according to spotrac.com, that’s more than 19 teams’ 2022 entire team payroll (including the Giants, Cardinals, and Cubs).
MLB Network put Nimmo as the 6th best RF in 2022. Right behind Mitch Haniger (5th). Haniger is a couple years older and was banged up in 2022, but historically has put up best numbers. He got 3 years for $43.5 million from the Giants. Bottom line, Scott Boras absolutely fleeced Cohen and the Mets this offseason and will repeatedly use these new “comps” for all future deals.
Given Cohen’s spending habits and the fact that they have not traded away any prospects of value this offseason, I’m struggling to understand why Mets fans would need to say this. Any mistakes by Cohen will just get covered by more spending, which the Reds won’t do.
Which the Reds can’t do. Fixed it for you.
No, they *won’t* do it. You didn’t fix anything. Reds receive ~$150 million in revenue sharing every year, both from other teams and nationally from MLB itself. They refuse to spend it. If you want to be blind to that fact and carry water for the rich owners, go right ahead.
Ah the same old large market fan argument. It gets tiresome.
Billionaires don’t become billionaires by running their business as a loss, and this is a business like any other.
Have you seen the books?
Do you know the operating expenses? It’s more than just player salaries.
Do you know how much is spent in scouting and development, which small markets need to have any advantage they can get whatsoever?
Of course you don’t.
Do I wish they would spend more? Sure.
Do I wish there was a level playing field? You bet.
Am I going to say for sure I KNOW they can spend more? Nope, not without knowing the facts.
They do spend it, just not on payroll. And they didn’t receive it in the two Covid seasons because MLB suspended it due to the big market teams whining. Guessing Cincinnati is probably using part of it to pay off loans taken during that time.
Well said, stymeedone.
Not only Cincinnati, but about 20 other teams as well.
Not counting the times he was on the IL and couldn’t play anyway, that assumes the Reds actually have enough infielders and DH options who can outperform him when he is healthy enough to take the field.
Right now, that’s very questionable. They do have India (not that Moose should ever again attempt to play 2B), and Votto is still a good defending 1B who still provides a pretty good OBP on offense if nothing else, but Steer isn’t necessarily a better option at 3B, while their DH options are very lousy.
Moose was underpaid for years by the market.. The moment he got a big deal he collapsed..
After he clears waivers and is released he might be an interesting 3B option on an invite to spring training to see if his LH bat has anything left in it.
oops- For the Cubs.
Oh please no. Even Wisdom at 3B is better than Moose at this point.
Only if he comes in a package with Hosmer.
Brewers please.
Yes! Because we need another left handed batter with no defense that also can’t hit or run…
I think Moustakas can still hit when healthy. I agree – the Brewers have a few lefty stiffs, and I’ve been advocating the team play small ball . But given his defensive flexibility and recent popularity in Milwaukee, I think he would fit in quite well – as long as he’s paid what he’s worth.
i dont mind a reunion as I would like to ease Turang into a utility role while moving urias to his better position of 2B
I don’t understand how people think second is Urias better position. The only time he is productive at all is when he is put at only third.
defensively, 2B is where Urias has been best (despite playing the fewest games there over his professional career). this is supported by a career .989 fielding percentage in 119 games… 3B he has posted .946 in 172 games. hes fine as a 3B, but a full season at his best position probably wouldnt hurt either… his best season as a pro (2021), Urias split time evenly at 3B and SS (68 games each) while adding another 25 at 2B, so not entirely sure where the idea that he only produces as a 3B is coming from…
Defensive flexibilty? He can play multiple positions poorly?
I don’t think he’s unplayable at 3B. That kind of flexibility has worked to Matt Carpenter’s advantage his entire career to date.
Merry Christmas, Reds fans!
Moose, Hosmer, Greinke, and Cueto back to Kansas City!
Lorenzo Cain is still around!
Raltongo, thank you I knew I was missing someone…How about Dyson??
He’s available
Get Ben Zobrist and Wade Davis to come out of retirement and run it back! As a Mets’ fan, I’d feel much better about our chances now with our current roster against a KC squad with all of them returning and there wouldn’t be much of an age difference between the squads!
Awesome. Time for him to get back to ball and stop leaching off the family vacuum fortune.
Would that be leaching, leeching or sucking for a vacuum company?
Looks like a future pirate, lol
Moose should have killed there. Definitely a bust
Cincy paying Mikey $22M to go away..
with a $81 million dollar payroll and GriffeyJR. is still being paid too! 81-22 -Jr..less than 60 million payroll….Mets should by them too!
The interesting part of this is that the Reds signed Maile and now Casali. Do they plan to use Tyler Stephenson more at DH and 1B?
No they are planning on using Tyler Stephenson at his best position, the IL.
They planned on him being their everyday catcher for 2022 and we ended up using like 8 other catchers instead after he and aramis Garcia both went down. Just depth.
Would have rather seen Tucker back.
I’d take Casali over Barnhart to help mentor the young pitching staff.
Casali is solid behind the plate. He’ll be a good addition.
I’m not mad about Casali over Tucker. I just would have rather had Tucker, because I really like him.
Business wise, casali was the right choice…way cheaper and very capable.
Wow. Wowie wow wow wow.
Hey, if the Moose is free, I am willing to buy a lottery ticket
It’s crazy that 2015 World Champion Royals Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas were all designated for assignment (and likely released) in 2022.
Father Time remains undefeated.
You can look at the next champion, the 2016 Cubs and see that many of them are not at peak form anymore. Kris Bryant is an injury waiting to happen in Denver. Anthony Rizzo is still good, but not as good at 2016. Javy Baez has been a disappointment in Detroit so far. Kyle Hendricks seems to be a shell of his former self. Jason Heyward and Dexter Fowler are on the minor league deal phase of their careers. Zobrist, Lester, Arrietta, and Lackey are all retired.
Most athletes only remain in peak form for a very short time. Which is why team will regret these 10+ year contracts in short order.
Teams don’t expect players to play out all the years in these mega deals. It’s a way of taking less of a salary hit against the luxury tax while also deferring salary. And with the time value of money being what it is, this is also beneficial for teams.
It’s essentially no different then the deferred money deals the Nats used to give out with the added benefit of a lower AAV.
These 10+ year contracts are primarily to spread payments out into the future. Yes, it could be, and in some cases also will be, done by deferrals, but they give the players and the teams options. If a player wants to continue playing but the team feels the roster spot can be used better by someone else, the team can eat the remainder of the contract it planned to spend from the beginning minus a minimum salary any other team is willing to give him. For Hosmer, the Padres knew they were paying the bulk of his eight years for five years of service when they signed him. They had to figure he’d opt into the last three years.
Just because Hosmer did what the Padres expected does not make it a good idea.
Welcome to the Braves as the DH moose. Next up Ozuna DFA.
I’d be for Atlanta giving Moustakas some ABs at DH and occasionally giving Riley a breather at 3B. I’d be for almost anyone coming in to replace Ozuna, regardless of ability.
Does it do Cincy much good to release Moose while bringing in Myers? I guess Myers helps in the outfield while providing marginally better offense?
The Reds NEED outfielders. The only 2 guys who deserve some playing time are Jake Fraley and TJ Friedl. Nick Senzel will probably see time in CF, but might not have a long leash. He’s very close to being a complete bust. After that, they have Stuart Fairchild and Mike Siani. They don’t have any real major league ready outfielders in the farm. They NEEDED a Wil Myers. I hope they don’t sign another corner outfielder though because I want to see what Fraley/Friedl can do.
So…. Braves send Ozuna to the Reds for Moose in a bad contract swap? Reds get a high-risk OF for two years and Braves get an earlier end date for payments on a bad deal?
Myers is a big upgrade, and he can play OF and 1B. I expect the Reds to get a nice prospect when they flip Myers
Wow, the Reds made three moves in one day. Krall must have got out of the molasses.
Lost in this, but Casali a smart move. I think this shows they are playing Stephenson at other positions than catcher. I have always said he will be at 1B after Votto retires. DH is almost like a day off.
Glad to see them cut their losses on Moose rather than waste a roster spot.
They did the same with Votto. He was a catcher initially in the Red’s farm system. I agree Stephenson needs to play 1B and DH mostly. His bat is too valuable and he seems to be too injury prone to catch most every day.
I love Ty Steve but his bat is nothing special if he’s a 1B. I can see him hitting with more power down the road because he’s a big, strong dude but right now he’s just a really good hitting catcher.
YESSSS
Brutal waste of money his contract ended up being. Guy couldn’t stay on the field and when he was, it was ugly. Someone will take a chance on him.
Reds spending that Steve Cohen revenue sharing $ lol
Another 3B the Angels can sign. to ensure they have depth in case Rendon gets injured.
Or they could sign my grandmother – who can hit and field better than Moose at this point.
Time flies. I remember debating on these forums that Moose wasn’t a much better option than Makiel Franco. Now neither is on an MLB team.
Tigers need a 3B, he’s a reasonable fit. I believe lefties, in general, have a resurgence this season without having to overcome the psychology of the shift. I bet it ruined a lot of careers by tearing down a guy’s confidence. There’s so much failure in baseball that stacking the odds even worse had to have a deeper impact than what meets the eye.
I’d rather see the ABs go to Kreidler.
I agree. We have no lefty infielders. Can play 3rd which we need and 1st base if Torkelson doesn’t get it together. For league minimum I really think it fits. You won’t be paying him money that’ll block any of the kids if they do in fact produce.
I feel like Moustakas, Jason Heyward and Eric Homer should all be roommates on some new reality TV show. Not that I would watch it, but it should definitely exist.
One of the big FA signings this year will likely join that list. Who though? Time well tell.
You forgot Cano
Cano is holding out for another big contract. 3/90 sounds about right.
On my released, but still making big bucks in 2023 team, I have
Hosmer at first
Cano at second
Moustakas at third
Heyward at RF
Has anyone else been released with a fat contract?
Amazingly, Corbin has not been released.
Yes, their top two pitchers may be the second highest paid in the NFL East this year.
Yes, their top two pitchers may be the second highest paid in the NL East this year.
Ozuna can play LF for that team.
Per the arbitrator’s decision, if the Dodgers follow through as expected, Trevor Bauer would be the opening day starter for that team.
With Moose and Hosmer it ironic that both of them fell off a cliff after the 2019 season…
Amen. Sometimes discretion is the better part of Valor. He was an albatross and younger players will do just as well. Great Move! Somebody call Toronto and BEG them to take Votto. Joey has a chance to play in the post season there, back home, and be a winner. Cinch that hof career. He sue as hell wont here. Or just pay him all he’s owed to let them trade him and pick up prospects.
You are not going to get many prospects worth having for a 39 year old coming off an injury.
Even Votto is concerned about how he will be after he rehabs.
In signing Casali they’re also bringing in a future staff member and perhaps a new manager.
I sure hope not, they need to hire a manager outside the organization who has had a degree of success. The Reds do well when they bring in established managers like Lou Pinella, Davey Johnson, Jack McKeon and Dusty Baker. They fail miserably when they bring in managers with no experience like Bryan Price and David Bell.
End of an error
That juiced up baseball back then was a god send for hitters. When that was swapped out, the hitting ceased for the marginal bats.
Now with last years dead ball if a juiced up one comes back, the pitching contracts will then take on water. Baseball manufacturing an betting on baseball, sure are not compatible bed partners. It’s hilarious, unless your the one betting on baseball, then you better demand better quality control on the equipment.
Will Moustakas even get a ST invite from a team?
Chisox
He could decide to play in the World Baseball Classic in Miami in March and use it as a showcase. He wouldn’t be on Team USA, but by the “eligible for citizenship” rules, he qualifies to play for Team Israel. Jews, children and grandchildren of Jews and their spouses are eligible for Israeli citizenship. His wife’s Jewish. Adam Ottavino has the same situation, but he has already committed to play for Team Italy in the WBC. Israel’s got a tough pool so it would be a good exhibition for him.
There comes a time when a player should retire with dignity. But there is so much money in baseball that sadly past their best years players hold on and hold out. And then someone like Carlos Santana gets $6 million to further fall into baseball decrepitude. And hope springs again.
Making millions trumps dignity. Who is going to get the last laugh at Pujols’ Angels tenure or Miggy when they make their HOF induction speeches? And it’s not like life is over. Always can start a second fulfilling career after hanging up the cleats or sit home and do absolutely nothing.
I remember reading that Mickey mantle played in 1968 simply for the money and it cost him a .300 career batting average. He was quoted as saying he regretted the decision. I think he batted .230 or there snouts.
I remember Mantle saying that too. Times sure have changed. Can one fathom back in those days a 10-game winner would win the Cy Young like DeGrom did in 2018? Or striking out 150+ times a season…
Jerry D has been looking for someone that can spell Ty and Eugenio abit-
there’s Dipoto’s sub for France and Suarez. and he can be had for cheap. No risk, all upside.
Ty = T – Y
Eugenio = E – U – G – E – N – I – O
Whoever they’d need to cut from the current roster to clear a spot is probably more valuable than Mike Moustakas, even at league minimum salary.
I wanted the Angels to sign Mike. Local dude. Still would of been half the cost of Rendon.
ah, no; his cost would not be half of Rendons. His cost would be league minimum. Red’s pay the rest.
Uh I meant when they were both free agents in 2020 and Mike being from LA. Rendon is making 35 million. So yeah half the cost, both gave little production and health
Maybe Mike is worth trying out for a year in Detroit? Checks 3B and LHH boxes for them. Feel as though it would not be much different from Candelario, though.
Prospect X cost $x to sign.
Do you actually care about salary relief?
If so, I can give you a profit on your prospect investment.
Hire the Superfife.
It would be about the prospects, not 3rd base.
What would we lose ? We’ve gotta wake Harris from his slumber….
Other than Candelario has only had one bad year, and was able to play in most of last years contests. Oh yeah, he was also Tiger of the Year (Best Player on the team) the previous two years. He led the AL in doubles in ’21. Other than that, yeah, they are much alike. Doubt Moose is the type of player Harris is looking for, either.
Maybe Moose gets traded to the Braves for Ozuna and a lottery ticket now?
Nah, you can keep Moose. We don’t need another sweet swing no hit big guy clogging up the bench.
I wouldn’t mind having Moose on the Cardinals
Dodgers will grab him once he clears waivers.
Moose and Hosmer….anyone who thinks that Scott Boras isn’t a good agent, Exhibits I and II. It takes real skill to package average/barely above for premium prices.
Boras was aided by MLB using a baseball that allowed it to sail out of stadiums. Plus, the Reds were desperate to get a good FA to agree to play with them when he signed.
Can we call him Mistakeous?
Yikes that Moose deal didn’t pan out. I get the desire to just be done with it instead of trying one more year.
Just like the Luke Maile signing, the Casali signing is an effort to give the team a better crew of backup catchers than the carousel that we went through last season after Stephenson got hurt.
Two Boras clients get DFA’d on the same day, Moustakas and Hosmer. Deal with Scott and chances are you’ll get hosed more.
Wait 8-10 years and we’ll read the same thing about the big contracts handed out this offseason.
If the big contracts signed this year are still good after seven years, the teams who signed them will be delighted.
Fink are you able to post? Or are comments down site wide?
Yes, I can post. So can you, apparently. What’s up, TJ?
Last night on here for me. Got too much harmless stuff deleted. I’ll miss you guys but I’ll check in on your posts from time to time. Merely as an observer. You were a pal Fink!
Don’t let it bug you, TJ. I’ve had stuff deleted that seemed completely innocuous. I imagine that others have, too.
I’m not saying posting isn’t a waste of time. Speaking for myself, I know I could spend my time better. But discussing baseball is fairly innocuous in itself, and it’s not illegal, immoral or fattening, so I allow myself the pastime. If the spirit moves you, I see no great harm in your adding your two cents, too.
Meanwhile, it’s been a pleasure, and I wish you a Merry Christmas or a Happy Hanukkah — or Festivus or whatever you celebrate.
Don’t go Trumbo
You’ll be missed as well scarecrow!
Well the Royals could essentially put the old band back together from the 2015 Championship for nostalgia and probably finish about where they did last year…
Moose was a terrible signing for the Reds. He has been injured and out of shape most of his time in Cincinnati. Moose also gave the Reds an excuse to cry poverty. Even though, every team has a bad contract or two or six.
Some teams can afford those bad contracts. Small market teams like the Reds can’t afford a miss on a big contract. It hamstrings them.
Come back to Milwaukee!
Why? The brewers need hitting. Need should be capitalized with a explanation point and fireworks.
Would love to see the Reds attach Noelvi Marte to a team willing to eat the 22 million.
I would rather see Noelvi be an all star on the Reds. Steer India Noelvi and De La Cruz
Hey look, another guy the Giants were supposedly interested in, lmao
This should be a no brainer for the Angels. Left handed bat and versatile? And he’s from Chatsworth.
I really don’t understand the idea that he is untradeable. Since they’ll get nothing for him if he goes through waivers, why don’t the Reds deal him for some MiLB depth and agree to pay all but the minimum of his salary? Gives them some control over the situation.
I’m sure they have tried to deal him and found no takers before cutting him loose.
These baseball people have done this before, you know….
They haven’t cut him loose yet. They have a week or so to accomplish that. We shall see.
I have to figure that the Jays are going to offer him a one year deal to DH/1B off the bench. They don’t seem to mind players that are years past their prime and always hurt lol. I would prefer Hosmer, at least he stays healthy and he’s cheaper.
I can see the CWS take a flyer on him once he clears waivers..bench piece since Moose can play 1B, 2B and 3B and a connection to Grindol the manager.
A little surprised because I thought he would begin the season in Cincy hoping he would be productive and be able to at least get something at the deadline. At least it appears we are committed to the rebuild and will be giving Steer a chance to establish himself at 3B. Good move for the future.
While I am happy the Reds DFA’d Moose to paraphrase Churchill, you don’t win pennants by DFAing players.
Churchill also said “fat hacks don’t belong on your 26-man roster.”
You do not win Pennants by playing people that can not run or hit either.