Nix returns to Reds with Minor League deal

[el loco]

By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com

12/18/09 4:59 PM EST

After spending a few weeks exploring what sort of interest there may have been in him on the free-agent market, Laynce Nix has opted to return to Cincinnati. The Reds announced on Friday that the club had signed Nix as a Minor League free agent. The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training.

Nix was removed from the Reds' 40-man roster on Nov. 20, as the Reds cleared room for prospects to be added in advance of the Rule 5 Draft. At the time, Nix refused an outright assignment to the Minors and elected to become a free agent. Nix would have been eligible for arbitration and a raise from his $600,000 salary in 2009 had he not be taken off the roster.

If the Reds are unable to re-sign Jonny Gomes, who was not tendered a contract Saturday, the Reds very well might need Nix next year as an extra outfielder and bat off the bench.

The entire article:

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/art ... p&c_id=cin


I would have kept Gomes if it were up to me, the guy hit 20 home runs in 98 games, hit for average and gave 110% every time he took the field.