Laynce Nix declared himself a free agent today after clearing waivers and refusing an outright assignment, according to the Reds’ official Twitter feed.
Nix, who turned 30 last month, batted .291/.350/.455 with four home runs, 18 RBI and an 805 OPS over 165 at-bats this past season. He sprained his left ankle on August 23 and missed most of the month of September, but was on the club’s roster for the Division Series against the Phillies.
Nix went through virtually the same process last November. After hitting a career-high 15 home runs in 309 at-bats in 2009, Nix refused an outright assignment from the Reds only to return on a minor league contract.
It’s possible he could be back, but there will probably be a few teams interested in him as a cheap alternative for a left-handed bat off the bench. Nix posted a 795 OPS in 163 plate appearances against right-handed pitching this season and an 802 OPS in 303 plate appearances against righties in 2009.
