The Reds have re-signed IF/OF Jerry Hairston to a 1-year, $2 million dollar deal plus incentives. He played in 80 games for the Reds last season and he was 85 for 261 (.326 avg, .871 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 6 homers, 36 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Hairston has now played in 898 games in his major league career and he is 726 for 2,795 (.260 avg, .700 OPS) with 386 runs scored, 39 homers, 252 RBIs and 127 stolen bases. This was likely a good move for the Reds as Hairston really played well for them last season. He might even start the season as the starter at shortstop if Alex Gonzalez is not ready to start the year.

The Reds have signed 29-year old righty swinging catcher Ryan Jorgensen to a minor league deal. He played in 2 games for the Twins last season and he was 0 for 1 (.000 avg). He has now played in 10 games in his major league career and he is 3 for 20 (.150 avg, .600 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 2 homers and 6 RBIs. Jorgensen will likely be the starting catcher in AAA for the Reds this season but he will only make it to the majors if they have an injury at the position.

UPDATE: Jorgensen has re-signed due to his falling down the depth chart after the Reds signed Humberto Cota to a minor league deal.

The Reds have signed 25-year old righty swinging 1B Wes Bankston to a minor league contract. He played in 17 games for the A’s last season in which he was 12 for 59 (.203 avg, .543 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. Bankston also played in 97 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 105 for 375 (.280 avg, .824 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 20 homers and 73 RBIs. Bankston will be nothing more than insurance in AAA for the Reds in 2009.

The Cincinnati Reds have signed 35-year old lefty reliever Aaron Fultz to a minor league deal. He pitched in 49 games (0 starts) for the Indians last season and he was 4-3 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Fultz has now worked in 463 games (1 start) in his major league career and he is 25-15 with 3 saves, a 4.26 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. This was a solid signing for the Reds as Fultz could help out the bullpen in 2009.

The Cincinnati Reds have signed 28-year old lefty swinging outfielder Laynce Nix to a minor league contract. Nix played in 10 games for the Brewers last season and he was 1 for 12 (.083 avg) with 1 run scored. He has now played in 270 games in his major league career in which he is 206 for 875 (.235 avg, .673 OPS) with 115 runs scored, 29 homers and 118 RBIs. This was a nice low risk signing for the Reds.