The Cincinnati Reds are starting December with a splash. Starting off with several moves that include a historic free agent signing. Giving fans plenty to buzz about in the lead up to this weekend’s Redsfest.

Cincinnati signed Mike Moustakas to a four year deal worth $64 million on Monday. The deal was officially announced by the Reds on Thursday. Moustakas will get the largest free agent contract in Reds history. The Reds are planning to have him play at second base. He has experience at second but was primarily a third baseman last season. Moustakas joins the Reds after a stint with the Milwaukee Brewers. Joining them in the days leading up to the 2018 trade deadline.

Before Milwaukee, Moustakas spent his entire major league career with the Kansas City Royals. Being a part of the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship team. He was also part of their American League pennant winning season in 2014. Moustakas hit 35 home runs and 87 runs batted in last season. His 80 runs last season are the most in a single season of his career.

The Moustakas signing isn’t the only Reds roster move of this week. Shortstop Jose Peraza and pitcher Kevin Gausman are now non-tendered. Being non-tendered automatically makes Peraza and Gausman free agents. After the Reds opted against offering them contracts for the 2020 season. Peraza joined the Reds in 2016 and Gausman joined back in August.

Peraza became the odd man out in the Reds infield in recent months. Despite being a reliable infielder since joining the Reds. He was shifted around in the lineup throughout 2019. Shifted around due to Scooter Gennett’s groin injury and a hot start from Derek Dietrich. He even had a brief stint with Triple-A Louisville last August.

Those developments came after a stellar 2018 season for Peraza. He set personal MLB-career records in several categories in 2018. Hitting the most RBI’s, home runs and doubles of his career to date. Being shifted around in the lineup didn’t help statistically in 2019. Despite that, he was one of seven Reds with 90 hits or more in 2019.

Gausman was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves last August. He spent most of his time in Cincinnati in the bullpen. Despite his previous experience as a starting pitcher. Starting only once in the 15 appearances he made with the Reds. Gausman went 0-2 in those appearances with a 4.03 ERA.

Cincinnati tendered contracts to several players before Monday’s non-tender deadline. Tendering contracts with pitchers Anthony DeSclafani, Trevor Bauer and Matt Bowman. Along with pitcher/occasional outfielder Michael Lorenzen and catcher Curt Casali. The Reds also agreed to a one year deal with outfielder Travis Jankowski. He was acquired from the San Diego Padres in October.

As the offseason hot stove roars, the Reds hope Moustakas’ signing sends a signal. Similar to the one they sent with deals last December. That the Reds are aspiring to be contenders in the early 2020’s.