Reds sign OF Nicholas Castellanos to four-year deal

[The Operator]

This is pretty much a one year deal unless he absolutely bombs.


Either way, it’ll be exciting to watch and I’m sure he’ll be motivated.


The opt outs do make me a little more leery of dealing outfield surplus. Not that I wouldn’t do it in the right deal, but they’ll need a contingency plan in place for when he likely departs after 2020 - unless they plan to bring him back even after the opt out or pursue another similar free agent next year.

[DocRed]

This is pretty much a one year deal unless he absolutely bombs.


Either way, it’ll be exciting to watch and I’m sure he’ll be motivated.


The opt outs do make me a little more leery of dealing outfield surplus. Not that I wouldn’t do it in the right deal, but they’ll need a contingency plan in place for when he likely departs after 2020 - unless they plan to bring him back even after the opt out or pursue another similar free agent next year.

One year deal with a likely QO Rd A draft pick

[The Operator]

One year deal with a likely QO Rd A draft pick

That’s true.

[TheBigLebowski]

Was the site down most of the morning?

Finding out about the opt-out was a bit of a buzzkill, but I'm still thrilled. Was a fan of Castellanos for a while and I'm excited to have him here.

[DocRed]

Also keep in mind that the fact that a team would have to give up a draft pick to sign Castellanos after year one also makes it that much more likely that Castellanos would accept a QO to get that off his books and thus increase his free agent value. We saw it this past year with Abreu and Odorrizi, both not wanting to repeat what happened to Keuchel and Kimbrel.

[Sea Ray]

I will say that there are all kinds of ticked off Cubs fans on Twitter right now for letting him go

[adkindo]

not sure I have ever seen a 4 year deal with a opt out after year 1 and 2....that is about as player friendly as possible.

[NebraskaRed]

not sure I have ever seen a 4 year deal with a opt out after year 1 and 2....that is about as player friendly as possible.

Apparently, that's what it takes to get players to come to Cincinnati.

[JCM11]

lineups with the current roster

vs RHP

1. Shogo/Senzel CF
2. Votto 1B
3. Geno 3B
4. Moose 2B
5. Cast RF
6. Winker LF
7. Galvis SS
8. Tucker C
you can flip Votto and Winker's spots if need be

vs LHP

1. Senzel CF
2. Votto 1B
3. Geno 3B
4. Cast LF
5. Moose 2B
6. Aquino RF
7. Galvis SS
8. Casalli C

[M2]

not sure I have ever seen a 4 year deal with a opt out after year 1 and 2....that is about as player friendly as possible.

IMO, it's both player and team friendly. Castellanos can choose to seek a mega deal if he wishes, but it also would free up the Reds from having to pay the back end of a long-term contract. The team theoretically could get nothing but the sweetspot of the deal.

[adkindo]

If there is no trade involving Senzel, I would still like to take a peek at him @ SS in spring training.

[TRF]

If there is no trade involving Senzel, I would still like to take a peek at him @ SS in spring training.

blech.

If he could handle SS, he'd have been the SS last year. or gotten significant time there in AAA. That ship stays docked.

[adkindo]

IMO, it's both player and team friendly. Castellanos can choose to seek a mega deal if he wishes, but it also would free up the Reds from having to pay the back end of a long-term contract. The team theoretically could get nothing but the sweetspot of the deal.

I see your perspective....but if guy has a great year, and we cannot afford him, the money spent on him this year for replacement and a lottery ticket is still likely a net negative....and if he stinks or even worse has a significant injury, it is definitely a net negative. My preference is he has a great year and we are able to resign him.

[adkindo]

blech.

If he could handle SS, he'd have been the SS last year. or gotten significant time there in AAA. That ship stays docked.

not sure I see the logic....he never really got time at CF until it was already decided he needed to play CF. It was the biggest need last year which is why he moved. Going into last year, the team did not view SS as a major need. The first time he played CF was in spring training because it was the primary need of the team and we had more than enough middle infielders. The situation has changed.

[George Anderson]

It's fun to be a reds fan again!!!