Reds release Mike Ford despite power-packed spring performance

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Mike Ford has been granted his release by the Cincinnati Reds and will reenter free agency. Ford looked like a shoo-in to make the Reds Opening Day roster after hitting .455 with a 223 wRC+ according to FanGraphs.

But instead of adding Ford to the roster, the Reds opted to keep Nick Martini. The veteran outfielder, who can also play first base, was told that he'll be part of the Reds Opening Day roster. Martini's bat has been quiet this spring, with the 33-year-old hitting just .156.

Though Martini has failed to connect at the same clip as Ford, the slugger still has three home runs this spring, has kept the strikeouts to a minimum, and his 11 RBI is tied with Luke Maile for second on the team this spring behind Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

Reds release Mike Ford despite power-packed spring performance

While some Reds fans will disagree, this is really splitting hairs with both Ford and Martini offering a similar profile. But Ford is much more limited defensively. With injuries to Matt McLain and TJ Friedl, the Reds needed to keep Martini's defensive versatility on the roster.

The question now becomes, who else will the Reds add to help fill out the roster. Last spring the team was in the same position. After reassigning Stuart Fairchild to minor league camp before the Reds left Arizona, the outfielder was eventually added to the Opening Day roster when it was determined Joey Votto would open the season on the IL. Will Bubba Thompson go through the same experience this year?

The possibility also exists for the Reds to target one of the many free agents who, just like Ford, did not make the cut out of spring training. Nick Krall and the Reds front office will be scouring the waiver wire over the next couple of days, looking for any upgrades that might become available.

Ford packed a wallop this spring, and any number of teams who are in the market for a DH could be looking to sign the 31-year-old slugger. But Ford will not be part of the Reds Opening Day roster. There are currently 12 position players still in major league camp.

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