--OF Laynce Nix, who has played parts of six big-league seasons with Texas and Milwaukee, agreed to a minor league deal with Cincinnati. The 28-year-old had one hit in 12 at-bats with the Brewers this year.
--RHP Matt Belisle, RHP Gary Majewski and OF Norris Hopper were non-tendered by the Reds, making them free agents. Belisle spent parts of five seasons with Cincinnati, going 16-22 with one save and a 5.06 ERA. --LHP Arthur Rhodes signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Reds. He fills a need after the club lost left-handed relievers Jeremy Affeldt and Kent Mercker.
--RHP David Weathers, 39, accepted arbitration from the Reds and was added to the 40-man roster after he declared free agency. The club will try to sign him before his case reaches arbitration.
--3B Edwin Encarnacion hit 26 homers and appeared in 146 games, both career highs, and after minor discussion about moving him to left field, it appears he will remain at third base.
--INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr., who hit .326 in 80 games last year, is a free agent. The Reds want to re-sign him but are bidding against two other teams.
--RHP Nick Masset, who came to the Reds from the White Sox in the midseason Ken Griffey Jr. trade, is strongly in the mix for a bullpen spot. He pitched three scoreless innings the day after the trade and posted a 2.08 ERA and a 1-0 record in 10 appearances.
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- Passed balls with the Orioles last year by newly acquired C Ramon Hernandez, third most in the AL.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I told Ryan Freel that it was unfortunate, due to injuries, that I didn't get to evaluate him last year to get a fair reading." -- GM Walt Jocketty, after he traded Freel to the Orioles.
