Ryan Ludwick not returning?
From a Paul Daughtery column...
Quote:
One offhand comment from a Prominent Club Official to me recently… the person mentioned a few guys likely not back next year. Ludwick was among them. Really? That’s a big ol’ Hmmmm right there.
Assuming there's truth to this, I wonder if it's because the club doesn't think Ludwick will replicate the performance or if they're expecting Ludwick to hit the market and sign for more than they intend to pay.
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Never think about the second date until the first one is over
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Brutus
Assuming there's truth to this, I wonder if it's because the club doesn't think Ludwick will replicate the performance or if they're expecting Ludwick to hit the market and sign for more than they intend to pay.
He is not young either. Got to wonder how much a 34-35 yr old OF is worth for next year. He will get big offers.
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
westofyou
Never think about the second date until the first one is over
What about planned quickies?
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Brutus
From a Paul Daughtery column...
Assuming there's truth to this, I wonder if it's because the club doesn't think Ludwick will replicate the performance or if they're expecting Ludwick to hit the market and sign for more than they intend to pay.
I'm guessing the latter. Josh Willingham strikes me as a reasonable comp and he got 3/21 last year. This could be Ludwick's last decent chance to cash in on his baseball talents. I'd be very surprised if he didn't go after a multi-year deal. And given their financial commitments, I don't see the Reds being the one to give it to him.
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RedsManRick
I'm guessing the latter. Josh Willingham strikes me as a reasonable comp and he got 3/21 last year. This could be Ludwick's last decent chance to cash in on his baseball talents. I'd be very surprised if he didn't go after a multi-year deal. And given their financial commitments, I don't see the Reds being the one to give it to him.
Willingham is a pretty decent comp.
Although Willingham is a career 844 OPS guy, and Ludwick is a 799 career OPS.
They are basically the same age.
Ludwick has had two monster seasons that have helped his career numbers, while Willingham has been more consistent.
The big question is.. will Ludwick continue to hit like this in the GAB?
And if they let Ludwick walk, they're back to looking for a cleanup hitting LF again (which aren't exactly easy to find).
Looking ahead to next year, Rolen is probably going to retire (due to back issues), or be a greatly reduced player. That means the Reds are already counting on Frasier performing at a high level at 3b next year.
If I was the GM, it would be very difficult for me to let Ludwick walk.
We have to factor in Rolen leaving, Frasier probably regresses, maybe a learning curve for Hamilton in CF (if the Reds decide to go that way .. Hamilton may initially be a downgrade in CF offensively as he hits a learning curve).
It's really great to have Votto, Phillips, and Bruce locked up, but there's potentially quite a bit of the current offense evaporating in the offseason.
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
If Ludwick doesn't return, I'm restarting my Trade for Justin Upton campaign with full vigor
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
If we assume that the Reds aren't going to permanently bench Stubbs/Heisey, an open LF would leave the door cracked for picking up a top-of-the-order type. Michael Bourn? Jacoby Ellsbury? David Dejesus?
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Chapman for Giancarlo Stanton straight up. Then sign Madson and Broxton to be closers.
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Vottomatic
Chapman for Giancarlo Stanton straight up.
Come on, Vottomatic....there is no way on earth Miami goes for that and nor should they.
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
I wouldn't want to go more than 2 years on Ludwick, and in the $6M per range.
If he wants more, let him walk and find another guy who can hit in GABP. We generally can find someone who can for LF.
I doubt Ludwick ever duplicates his this years stats going forward.
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
PuffyPig
I doubt Ludwick ever duplicates his this years stats going forward.
Me either. Not that I'd balk at re-signing him for the right price. Swisher and Cody Ross are FA's who are a few years younger.
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Ludwick's a lifelong Reds fan, loves GABP and might be willing to sign at a hometown discount. I think the Reds looking like they'll contend for a few more years might help too.
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Vottomatic
Chapman for Giancarlo Stanton straight up. Then sign Madson and Broxton to be closers.
This is the same organization that actually traded something of value for Ozzie Guillen...so maybe there is a chance?
Re: Ryan Ludwick not returning?
Me personally think the Denard Span trade gets revisited in the off-season. I would rather have him for the next 2 season than Ludwick for what will probably around the same price. I just fear Ludwick falls off a bit and he is getting up there in age.
Span
Phillips
Votto
Frazier
Bruce
Thats a good enough top of the order for me. Plus we can always fish for next years Ludwick on the free agent market. Jocketty has had a knack in the past for getting production for dirt cheap from players like Ludwick.