Ludwick to 15 day DL; surgery set for Wednesday

[Caveat Emperor]

Hopefully they got insurance on the contract.

I read a while back that the insurance is prohibitively expensive on anything less than the monster Votto / Verlander deals that involve hundreds of millions of dollars.

It's why Madsen didn't have insurance on his deal last season.

[Wonderful Monds]

It's why you upgrade every opportunity you can -- because you never know when a freak injury like this will force a mediocre ballplayer into your lineup.

I suspect everyone's comfort levels would be a lot shakier if the Reds hadn't acquired Choo and the team was staring at an indefinite future of Heisey and Stubbs in the everyday-8.

Without a doubt.

Like I said, I was really pumped about the Reds having a complete lineup without any real holes in it, but at least they're prepared for this now.

[1940757690]

Yes, they just got him so he's not going anywhere and Ankiel isn't an upgrade from Heisey.

Disagree. Have a lot more confidence in Ankiel for a 1-2 year timeframe than Heisey. But irrelevant since he's now signed with a team for whom he'll instantly become their star since they're lowest payroll in baseball.

[Sea Ray]

I wasn't expecting much from Ludwick this year. I didn't think he'd match last year's numbers so I think we'll be fine. It does put pressure on Hamilton to progress quickly

[Wonderful Monds]

Opening Day 2014: Newly extended Johnny Cueto suffers a career ending injury when his right arm literally explodes on the first pitch of the game.

[LoganBuck]

Disagree. Have a lot more confidence in Ankiel for a 1-2 year timeframe than Heisey. But irrelevant since he's now signed with a team for whom he'll instantly become their star since they're lowest payroll in baseball.

Rick Ankiel sat around eating Pringles with everyone else last August and September after he was cut. Not exactly star material........

[1940757690]

Tearing it up, means he had a good spring training, now?

Not in my view. Tons of examples on one having nothing to do with the other. Rafael Soriano was lights out yesterday in DC. Stunk up the place in Florida. Just one of many.

It's why you upgrade every opportunity you can -- because you never know when a freak injury like this will force a mediocre ballplayer into your lineup.

I suspect everyone's comfort levels would be a lot shakier if the Reds hadn't acquired Choo and the team was staring at an indefinite future of Heisey and Stubbs in the everyday-8.

Yes, yes and yes!

[Caveat Emperor]

That's a no-brainer to me.

You keep Choo in CF and let him get reps -- there will be options available to replace Heisey in LF mid-season, hopefully. The only reason to move Choo off CF is to make room for a permanent replacement in Hamilton.

[reds44]

Disagree. Have a lot more confidence in Ankiel for a 1-2 year timeframe than Heisey. But irrelevant since he's now signed with a team for whom he'll instantly become their star since they're lowest payroll in baseball.

Why? Nothing backs this up.

OPS by year for Ankiel:
2009 .672
2010 .709
2011 .659
2012 .694

Heisey
2010 .757
2011 .797
2012 .715

[reds44]

This should be a lesson to the Reds not to sign old doods to multi year contracts.

[Vottomatic]

Someone brought up Soriano. I'm not a fan of the guy. But if the Cubs paid 90% of his remaining $36M salary ($18M - '13, '14), would you be interested or not?

[Caveat Emperor]

Why? Nothing backs this up.

OPS by year for Ankiel:
2009 .672
2010 .709
2011 .659
2012 .694

Heisey
2010 .757
2011 .797
2012 .715

Heisey's numbers are bolstered a bit by virtue of the fact that he has a huge split PH v. Starting -- something on the order of .120 for his career.

The numbers are backed up by the eyes, as Heisey's play definitely seems to regress the more time he spends in the lineup.

[reds44]

Heisey's numbers are bolstered a bit by virtue of the fact that he has a huge split PH v. Starting -- something on the order of .120 for his career.

The numbers are backed up by the eyes, as Heisey's play definitely seems to regress the more time he spends in the lineup.

I'm not arguing that, but Ankiel is bad.

[Reds Fanatic]

Bob Nigtengale the baseball writer for USA Today sent out a tweet that the Reds are expected to call up Derrick Robinson

[1940757690]

Rick Ankiel sat around eating Pringles with everyone else last August and September after he was cut. Not exactly star material........

Not a star. Also not expensive. Slugged .411 and banged out 5HR and 36 hits on 158 AB in 2012, mostly in fill-in and PH situations. Had a HR and 3RBI in the Astros' opener Sunday. He was good value for DC but not good enough given how deep the roster and farm system now is. Again though, doesn't so much matter now. The Reds aren't going to spend big or trade a star prospect (at least I hope they don't). All about getting decent value to plug as much of the gap as possible. Of course, would have been easier to do that in the off season and before everyone knew we were in need.