What third baseman Mike Moustakas means to the Cincinnati Reds lineup

When the Cincinnati Reds made Mike Moustakas the most expensive free agent signing in franchise history in December, 2019, the Reds accomplished three things.

The Reds added an All-Star caliber hitter to their infield, which was one of the team’s biggest weaknesses in 2019. They showed the ability to be aggressive in free agency. And it was one of the moves that showed the team’s five-season rebuild was over.

Even though Moustakas dealt with injuries over the last two seasons, he’s still one of the most established hitters in the Reds lineup. It only took Moustakas one game to show that after he came off the injured list with a heel injury. On Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Moustakas…