Reds signed Chris Nelson to minor league deal.

[NeilHamburger]

Per Jerry Crasnick on twitter:

Infielder Chris Nelson is close to wrapping up a deal with #reds, says a baseball source

[Wonderful Monds]

go ahead and bump that offseason grade up to A+!

[NebraskaRed]

If the choice is between Chris Nelson and Janish (in this scenario that I'm completely making up right now), I'll take Nelson.

[RedTeamGo!]

I am on board with this signing simply because his middle name is Lars.

[WildcatFan]

He's a year removed from this season:

.301/.352/.458

I've seen worse backup infielder signings.

Edit: Boy, that BABIP. Nevermind pointing out that season.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Reds Nearing Deal With Chris Nelson

By Steve Adams [January 27 at 11:55am CST]

The Reds are nearing a contract with infielder Chris Nelson, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). The Williams & Connolly client split last season between the Rockies, Yankees and Angels.

The 28-year-old Nelson is a former No. 9 overall pick (by the Rockies in 2004) but hasn't displayed that pedigree at the Major League level to this point. Nelson is a career .268/.312/.399 hitter and has experience at both second base and third base, though defensive metrics such as UZR and DRS are down on his work at each position.

Nelson's best season came with the Rox in 2012 when he slashed .301/.352/.458 in 377 plate appearances, but that line was propped up by a .374 batting average on balls in play that was predictably not sustainable. Nelson saw his strikeout rate climb to 29 percent in 2013, and with the drop in BABIP (down to .313), the result was a combined .227/.273/.327 batting line in 227 PAs.

[Ohayou]

[Gallen5862]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Nelson_(baseball)

Colorado Rockies[edit]
The Colorado Rockies selected Nelson in the first round, with the ninth overall selection, of the 2004 amateur entry draft,[1] and received the third largest signing bonus in Rockies history.[2] In July 2007, while playing for the Modesto Nuts, Nelson was named Rockies Farm Player of the Month.[3]
Nelson was called up on June 18, 2010, to replace Troy Tulowitzki, who had broken his wrist. He was expected to play second base, with Clint Barmes moving to shortstop.
On September 9, 2010, Nelson stole home plate against Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Masset, scoring what would be the deciding run in the Rockies' victory, their seventh straight. It was Nelson's first career stolen base, and the first time he had stolen home plate at any level.

[lollipopcurve]

I like Nelson, but he's not the player many of us thought he'd be coming out of high school. He was among the top 3 SS prospects in that draft, if I recall correctly.

Didn't hold onto the SS skills as a professional, but he can probably fill in there. Supposedly a top flight defender at 3B, and I'm sure he can play 2B too. Nice INF depth.

[CySeymour]

I like Nelson, but he's not the player many of us thought he'd be coming out of high school. He was among the top 3 SS prospects in that draft, if I recall correctly.

Didn't hold onto the SS skills as a professional, but he can probably fill in there. Supposedly a top flight defender at 3B, and I'm sure he can play 2B too. Nice INF depth.

I agree. Nice backup/depth signing. The Reds bench was very bad last season, so any move to improve it is a net plus.

[reds44]

If he's the backup SS, he's at least an upgrade over Izturis.

[757690]

I'm not even sure he's a lock to make the MLB team out of spring training. But still a good depth signing.

[Tom Servo]

In the not too distant future
Somewhere in time and space
Chris Nelson and his robot pals
Are caught in an endless chase

[RED VAN HOT]

I don't get this one. Do the Reds really need another backup infielder who can't play SS? He is really a third baseman without power. This seems more like a case of believing that a former #1 can realize his potential.

[cumberlandreds]

I honestly have no idea who this guy is. I'll take it from you guys thay he's a good depth signing.