Reds bring back C Casali, designate Moustakas

CINCINNATI — The Reds made a transfer to shore up their catching depth on Thursday by bringing again free agent Curt Casali on a one-year contract with a mutual choice for 2024. While including Casali — and outfielder Wil Myers earlier within the day — the membership made room on the 40-man roster by designating third baseman Mike Moustakas for project.

Moving on from Moustakas was not a shock transfer by Cincinnati, however it will likely be a expensive one with one yr left on his four-year, $64 million contract.

Hurt by accidents and restricted health throughout his three-year tenure, Moustakas batted .216 with a .683 OPS and 21 house runs over simply 184 video games from 2020-22 and noticed his defensive abilities wane at third base. With prospect Spencer Steer anticipated to compete for the common third-base job, there wasn’t a full-time spot for Moustakas to play.

The 34-year-old Moustakas is owed $22 million within the closing yr of the deal, together with the buyout for a 2024 choice. 

Casali, 34, batted .203 with 5 homers in 57 video games final season for the Giants and Mariners. He spent 2018-20 with the Reds backing up Tucker Barnhart and earned a repute for working effectively with pitchers and offering some right-handed energy.