The Cincinnati Reds designated third baseman Mike Moustakas for assignment on Thursday, despite owing him $22 million over the last year of his contract plus a buyout. The 34-year-old hit .214/.295/.345 with 7 home runs in 78 games for them last year. He spent just 25 games at third base, spending more time at first base and DH.
Moustakas was a two-time All-Star with the Royals, and set a then-club record with 38 home runs in 2017. He was expected to depart after that season along with other Royals free agents like Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain, but Moose found a soft free agent market and returned to the Royals on a one-year deal.