Reds reportedly re-sign slugger after reconsidering controversial decision

The Cincinnati Reds needed all of three days to reconsider their previous stance on whether or not to call-up Mike Ford. After deciding over the weekend not to select Ford's contract after the slugger opted out of his minor-league deal, the Reds have reportedly re-signed the veteran to a major league contract.

Ford was one of the Reds best players during spring training. During 10 Cactus League games for Cincinnati, Ford hit .455 with a 1.213 OPS. That wasn't enough to get Ford a seat on the flight out of Goodyear to Cincinnati, but the Reds assigned Ford to Triple-A Louisville where he continued to punish baseballs.

Ford hit .297/.381/.539 with the Louisville Bats. Ford has maintained reverse splits throughout his career, and with Jordan Montgomery on the mound tonight for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Reds fans should expect to see the 31-year-old in the starting lineup.

Reds reconsider controversial decision, re-sign Mike Ford to major league deal

After the news was reported, the question became who will the Reds send down? While some assumed that Christian Encarnacion-Strand may be optioned to Triple-A, the Reds instead placed the first baseman on the 10-day IL with right ulnar styloid fracture.

Other options would have been designating Conner Capel for assignment. But the Reds just added Capel to the 40-man roster on Tuesday. Jeimer Candelario has struggled as well at the outset of his Reds career, but the Reds biggest free agent signing is out of minor league options. The Reds moved Brandon Williamson from the 15-day to the 60-day IL in order to make room for Ford on the 40-man roster.

At least Reds fans can rejoice in the fact that president of baseball operations Nick Krall sees the problem and is attempting to do something about it. The Reds hitting has been awful of late and the team has scored just four runs in the past four games.

The Reds don't need to make some kind of flashy trade or blowup their entire roster in order to put the team back on the right track. Most of the players who are scuffling are key to the Reds success this season. Perhaps signing Ford will give the offense a boost and help motivate some of those players who are struggling.

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