The Reds ignited the Hot Stove on Monday by signing Mike Moustakas to a four-year, $64 million dollar contract. Moustakas is expected to play second base for Cincinnati, who non-tendered infielder Jose Peraza earlier in the day.

The Reds had been named as a potential suitor for Didi Gregorius, who is also a free agent after playing the last five seasons for the Yankees. How Moustakas' signing affects their chances of landing the 29-year-old.

With Peraza no longer on the roster, that removes him as a potential replacement for Jose Iglesias, a free agent who played 144 games at shortstop for the Reds last season. The team also claimed Freddy Galvis off waivers from Toronto in August and have him under contract for 2020, as well.

So is Gregorius a good fit for the Reds? There is a history there, as the team signed Gregorius as a 17-year-old free agent in 2007. He had 21 plate appearances for Cincinnati in 2012 before he was traded to Arizona that offseason.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that, despite signing Moustakas, the Reds have plenty of more money to spend and view the division as up for grabs.

And they're not done, either. The Reds have plenty more money to spend this winter and they see the National League Central as ripe for the taking. Remember, too, their rotation, with Trevor Bauer, Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray and Anthony DeSclafani, is already very good. https://t.co/Ell2Ir7Hhr
- Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 2, 2019

The Phillies, with former Yankee manager Joe Girardi at the helm. have also been mentioned as contendors to sign Gregorius. With Moustakas no longer in the picture, MLB.com reports that the Brewers could now turn to Gregorius to fill their now-vacant position at third.

MCCARRON: Predicting where 11 top MLB free agents will land and their deals >> Read More

Popular in the Community