Ludwick Contract Offer/ Ludwick has deal with the Reds.

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by @Jim_Duquette

Source - Ludwick deal and Cinci is NOT done. Ludwick wants to play out other options.

Originally Posted by @Jim_Duquette

Ludwick deal not expected to be finalized tonite. Still likely that Cinci is the team - but not done

[WVRedsFan]

Drat. Hopefully tomorrow.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Originally Posted by osuceltic

If that's accurate and the deal is done, it's a good one for the Reds.

Also, I'm really good at predicting these things.

Whoops, separated my shoulder patting myself on the back. But I also called the Broxton deal almost to the year and the dollar.

There goes the other shoulder.

[kaldaniels]

Did someone say "pat themselves on the back"?

http://www.redszone.com/forums/showp...8&postcount=53

Originally Posted by kaldaniels

I don't think any of us are too far apart on the numbers, I just see a 3 yr 21 MM deal being the sweet spot, with the last year being a team option for 7 MM. This assumes he continues his yearly pace and finishes with over .850 OPS and over 25 HR.

[Vottomatic]

Not sure how I feel about this signing, if it happens.

Good guy. Local guy playing for his childhood team. Likes playing for the Reds. Is a good clubhouse guy. Had his best season probably ever for us.............BUT.......

......will it be all downhill from here? Does he invoke fear in opposing pitchers to protect Votto? (NO)

Also, when finalized, you can put all the Justin Upton rumors to bed. Unless the Reds are willing to move Bruce to CF, play Ludwick in LF, and trade to play Upton in RF. Extremely, extremely doubtful. It's looking like the Reds sign Ludwick and stand pat. I don't see them doing anything else this offseason if Ludwick gets signed.

[Superdude]

Originally Posted by Vottomatic

......will it be all downhill from here? Does he invoke fear in opposing pitchers to protect Votto? (NO)

If he maintains what he did last year, I would say him and Bruce should be plenty of protection for Votto. There's the age concern, but if this turns out to be a two year deal like reported, that risk is mitigated to some degree.

[bucksfan2]

Originally Posted by Vottomatic

Not sure how I feel about this signing, if it happens.

Good guy. Local guy playing for his childhood team. Likes playing for the Reds. Is a good clubhouse guy. Had his best season probably ever for us.............BUT.......

......will it be all downhill from here? Does he invoke fear in opposing pitchers to protect Votto? (NO)

Also, when finalized, you can put all the Justin Upton rumors to bed. Unless the Reds are willing to move Bruce to CF, play Ludwick in LF, and trade to play Upton in RF. Extremely, extremely doubtful. It's looking like the Reds sign Ludwick and stand pat. I don't see them doing anything else this offseason if Ludwick gets signed.

Would you rather give Victorino a 3 year deal? Or how about 4 years for Pagan?

I think Jocketty had Ludwick in his back pocket the entire time. I don't think that changes anything about him looking elsewhere for a CF. He has to realize that Stubbs/Heisey in CF isn't going to cut it again, does he?

[dunner13]

Ok heres an out of the box idea, not sure how realistic it is but its just a thought.

Trade Bailey and Gregorious to ARZ for Upton
Put Ludwick in LF, Bruce in CF, Upton in RF Might not have a lot of speed out there but that outfield is loaded with power.

Then trade Billy Hamilton and Mescoraco to the Rays for Matt Moore
Supposedly the rays are open to trading anyone including Moore and you have to figure that offer would at least get them thinking.
Obviously I don't think this will happen but that would be a stacked OF and we would have an insanely good rotation with Latos, Cueto, Chapman and Moore

[Blitz Dorsey]

Some of you would have been OK with giving Ludwick $10 million/year for 2 years. The Reds are about to get him for $7 million. I'm surprised that so many of you seem ho-hum about this move. With Votto in place, it's all about building around him. Ludwick is a good fit for this team. He's not great and his numbers might decline a bit, but you never know. It's not out of the question that he could maintain his 2012 numbers.

And who else were the Reds going to get to fill the void of a LF/cleanup hitter that bats right-handed? They had a limited amount of money and I think they're making the most out of it.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

I don't think that changes anything about him looking elsewhere for a CF. He has to realize that Stubbs/Heisey in CF isn't going to cut it again, does he?

I believe Walt is looking to improve CF, but that combo did cut it to the tune that the Reds had the 2nd best record in the majors last year. Sometimes you can't improve every position, when you play within a budget.

[Vottomatic]

Originally Posted by dunner13

Ok heres an out of the box idea, not sure how realistic it is but its just a thought.

Trade Bailey and Gregorious to ARZ for Upton
Put Ludwick in LF, Bruce in CF, Upton in RF Might not have a lot of speed out there but that outfield is loaded with power.

Then trade Billy Hamilton and Mescoraco to the Rays for Matt Moore
Supposedly the rays are open to trading anyone including Moore and you have to figure that offer would at least get them thinking.
Obviously I don't think this will happen but that would be a stacked OF and we would have an insanely good rotation with Latos, Cueto, Chapman and Moore

Reds will never trade Hamilton. It would take a name for Giancarlo Stanton to come up for them to even consider it.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by Vottomatic

Reds will never trade Hamilton. It would take a name for Giancarlo Stanton to come up for them to even consider it.

I doubt they trade Hamilton either, but I'd be as much inclined to include him in a trade for Moore as Stanton.

[Vottomatic]

I just looked at Moore's minor league numbers. His WHIP is a little higher than I'd like (BB/9 = 4+ in minor league career). And his major league debut could have been better.

He looks good but not like a future ace to me.

[Benihana]

My guess is Ludwick signs in the next 48 hours. Upton looks like he could be headed to Texas, unfortunately.

Not sure how much more the Reds will/can do this offseason, other than acquire a platoon partner for Stubbs.

Maybe they save their bullets (ie pitchers) until midseason to see:

A) If Chapman can stick in the rotation
B) If Frazier and Ludwick can maintain close to last year's production
C) If Hamilton is ready and/or Stubbs can rebound
D) Who is healthy and where we really need an upgrade

I guess I'm OK with that strategy, although I really liked the idea of bringing in an impact OF, whether it's Upton, Choo, Ellsbury or Fowler.

[Vottomatic]

I think they may acquire Choo.