Ludwick gives the Reds a cleanup hitter without trading valuable assets. Sign him, by all means, forget other cleanup alternatives.

Instead focus on a lefty or switch hitting tablesetter. CF is the obvious position.
If no starter can be acquired, at least swap Heisey for a backup OBP type.

Reds also will need to replace Cairo on the bench and will look to add to pitching. Decision on Madson must be made.

For next year the bench is Xman, Mes (or Hanigan), Valdez. Cairo gets replaced and possibly Heisey.

Frazier is the third baseman replacing Rolen who presumably retires.

Not major surgery.